Who Knew going to work was this much fun?!

[Melalvai]

Next question- is there anyway to build confidence for riding alone?

Take the Road I course (check the League of American Bicyclists site for classes in your area). The #1 thing I got out of that course was confidence. I need that confidence to withstand with the yells, honks and bad behavior from the college kids who drive on my route. Their shenanigans don't hurt me or endanger me, but make it unpleasant enough that without confidence, I'd lose my motivation for biking.