initializing date input with 'null' value triggers angular 'required' error upon entering valid date 1st time

[kaydeejay]

Describe the bug
ngx-tiny/date-picker @10.0.2
angular @12.0.3
storybook @6.3

When using date input with datepicker, initializing input with 'null' value triggers angular "required"

error state upon entering in a valid date. Error goes away upon re-entering the same date or another valid date.

export const datepickerCtrl = new FormControl(null, [
  VUI_VALIDATORS.date('M/D/YYYY'),
  Validators.required
]);

replacing null with new Date() removes this behavior, but desired behavior would be to be able to initialize the input as blank.

Versions (please complete the following information):

• OS: Windows 10
• Browser: chrome Version 90.0.4430.93 (Official Build) (64-bit)