To the boy who broke me,

At a young age I was taught that I should be loved unconditionally. That I should laugh without fear. To always lend a helping hand to anyone in need and never turn your back on someone who needs you most. I was raised to be kind hearted and caring to all who crossed my path, that is until you walked into my life.

When we met, I had no idea I would walk away from you a shell of my former self. I did not see the abuse and mistreatment coming my way. I did not see the years of my life I would spend crying and blotting away the tears so no one would know. I did not know you would break me.

My smile began to dull and I would hide in my room rather than face my family knowing I was not my usual happy self. I was always asked why I looked so sad, my family worried for me and wondered where their happy girl had gone. She retreated in order to protect herself from your words. You thought getting your way was all that mattered in life, you did not once take me into consideration. You turned me into the person I never wanted to be. You made me cold and bitter to the world and everyone in it.

The physical and physiological abuse is not something I am proud of. Before we met, I would shun anyone who would treat a woman poorly, yet I allowed you to do so to me. The name calling, the screaming and crying, the nonstop texts and calls to see what I was doing and with whom. I had no freedom, yet I allowed it to continue. Being yelled at for buying the wrong gift or trying to do something nice but somehow making a mistake takes a toll on a person. Everyday you told me that I was never good enough and needed to try harder. I gave everything I had and got nothing but heartache in return.

I allowed you to treat me in a way no human should be treated. I enabled you to take advantage of me and do with me as you pleased. I blame myself for what you did to me because I did not put a stop to it. I spent years of my life doing everything I could to please you because I thought it would make you happy. I would do anything for your happiness even if it meant my health and mental stability came last.

I finally built up the courage to leave and with everything you put me through, I must say "thank you". Thank you for showing me how not to be treated. Thank you for allowing me to be strong enough to stand up and walk away, to tell someone what was happening. Thank you for enabling me to be a stronger person. I am now a voice for those too afraid to stand up as I had been. I will never receive anything less than perfect treatment by anyone.

Through every harsh word and roughly placed hand, I learned to never allow such a thing to happen to me again. I learned I deserve the world and will do anything to get it. I have learned to cut negativity from my life and remove toxic relationships without even batting an eye. You taught me that I don't need anyone that doesn't better my life.

So thank you, because of you breaking me, I was able to see how to never be broken again.