I backed up the files, renamed the folder with the saved games and it still crashed... but then I reinstalled the game, put in all the mods I wanted in one big file copying session and now it seems to be working!!

(P.S. I think the problem also had something to do with the fact I hadn't noticed the name of one of the mods was slightly off from what the game recognized blush So I guess it's all on me!)
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And what if it makes you laugh now but you cry as you fall asleep?