To those who broke my heart, lost my trust, and treated me like the scum that no one wants, I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for teaching me the lessons I needed to learn.

I thank you mostly for showing me what I don’t want in my life and the type of love I don’t deserve. Because of you, I know my true worth, which is far too expensive for you.

Thanks to your inability to treat me as a decent human being, I know what real, true friends look like. I know not to trust someone simply because they say they love me. I know that words are only letters but actions hold meaning, something you could never comprehend.

I know that just because I share the word friend with someone, it doesn’t mean the friendship is real — it doesn’t mean I matter to them as much as they matter to me.

You taught me both never to assume anything and to never get my hopes up.

Mostly, because of you, I know who and what matters are worth investing in — I know what they look like, I know what they feel like, and I know how they feel about me.

I know honesty. I know compassion. I know forgiveness. I know love. Without you, I would still think love comes in the form of store-bought greeting cards, drive-thru meals, and empty promises.

If it weren’t for your inability to care about anyone other than yourself, I would still be belittling myself, settling for the portion of love you gave me only when it was convenient for you.

Without your selfishness, I wouldn’t be someone who gets joy out of doing things for others just because, regardless of the reward.

Your manipulations taught me that honesty really is the best policy, for, without honesty, no real relationship can ever survive.

By giving me everything I didn’t want, hurting me in more ways than I knew possible, and having negative regard for me and my feelings, I am a much better, stronger person.

I am the type of person who does not settle. When I say no, I mean it. When I say yes, I put my entire heart into what I’m saying, committing every step of the way.

For free, you gave me every single example of what I don’t want — for that, I will always be grateful.

When I doubt myself, I think of you — your constant disregard for me and honestly, yourself. Then I remember, if I could believe in myself enough to put myself back together after you broke me, I can do anything.

If I need a reminder as to why blaming and shaming myself for others shortcomings is never a successful method of action, I recall the moments you made me crack and splinter from my core, convincing me I’m the problem with no solution.

You made me think I was the rule — I was the one who was too sensitive, too traumatized, to heavy with baggage and insecurities.

In case you didn’t know, I am the exception to the rule.

I no longer follow anyone’s rules, especially yours. I live this big, beautiful, amazing life that I have been so graciously given, free of your tightening grip and darkness over my reality.

My reality is bright, filled with sun, dreams, and love. You don’t deserve credit for that, though.

I became the strong, confident, determined me all on my own.

I’m the one who cut you out of my life. I am the one who decided enough was enough. I am the one who is finally, after all this time, forgiving you. It isn’t entirely your fault that you’re a terrible human being, though. You can’t help it.

And thank goodness for that. Thank goodness I’m the better person, for if I ever had to choose between being you or being torn apart by you, I would choose the latter every single time.

I’m the good guy who wins. How does it feel?

Be proud knowing my splinters are callused, my cuts healed, my stains cleaned, and the agony caused by you is forgiven, serving as a constant and friendly reminder of how strong, brilliant, and capable I am.

Thank you, so much, for making me realize I am enough. I am enough for someone to love unconditionally. I deserve the love of friends, family, and a life partner, which you could never give me.

Finally, I know it isn’t me that’s the problem, it’s you.

Thank you for rejecting me in every possible way. Now I know I never wanted you but needed you to teach me these lessons. Boy, were you a good teacher. But the thing is, I’m a much, much better student.

How does it feel to be used by me? To know that the student is now the master? To realize, no matter how hard you try, you will never bring me down to your level ever again? To know that now it’s you and only you, living in the mess you made and the emptiness you created for yourself.

Thank you for not wanting me, for each day I’m not like you, I’m winning the game you will never be good enough to play.