I look at vulnerability differently than you and I do think that willingness to expose oneself to getting hurt (vulnerability) is a superpower and has nothing to do with how you describe it at the end of your essay. I don't equate it with turning to mush. For me, vulnerability is the willingness to have true intimacy by letting someone in to into-me-see and hopefully the other person wants the same and it becomes a two way street and that is where true and healthy love can occur.