The last time we communicated was an interesting encounter. I got drunk the night before and texted you that I hated you. Why? Because that night I told my current boyfriend, who is wonderful, by the way, about what you did to me. The awful thing you did to me. I was terrified of how he was going to respond. But he held me while I cried, he was there for me, and he listened. Which is something you never did.

Should I have messaged you? No. I know that. But I also needed you to know that I hate you. What did you say to me? A lot of things. I know you were probably just trying to hurt me again, because maybe it hurt you that I told you I hated you out of the blue. But I want to address what you said to me because I didn't get to defend myself.

You told me I must still have feelings for you if I only ever message you when I've been drinking. That I must hate you because I can't get you out of my head. I just want to say... how dare you flatter yourself with those thoughts. I was thinking about the awful thing you did to me. The only feelings I have toward you are hatred and resentment. So don't you dare try to flatter yourself in thinking you're so great that I want you back. I don't. I would rather be cut open with a saw while conscious than ever get back together with you.

You also denied the fact that you keep trying to talk to me. Every so often you will message me and say you just want to see how I'm doing and catch up. You don't deserve to even know how well I'm doing. Because guess what? My life has been so much better without you. I have literally never been happier. I have a job I love, and so many friends now that you aren't telling me all I can do is sit at home, and do nothing, because doing otherwise and making friends in college would mean I'm automatically cheating on you.

I never cheated on you. I used to think abiding by your wishes was me showing you how much I loved you, but you were just controlling me so all I had in this world was you.

You would break up with me and then two days later you wanted me back. In reality, you did it to maintain control over me and make me think that I needed you. And you would do that every time I was almost strong enough to leave.

You were emotionally and sexually abusive, as well as manipulative and controlling. I hope you understand how strong I am now. I hope you realize that I don't respond to you because I want nothing to do with you.

I don't need a man like you!

You told me that I am basically a whole new person with a whole new life and that you don't even know who I am anymore. I find it funny you would say that, because when I was with you, your manipulations and how controlling you were over my life turned me into a shell of a person.

I lived my life constantly worried about what you would think or how you would react. I couldn't listen to certain music or say certain words without you telling me my interests were stupid. I was never able to truly be myself when I was with you. I had to be who you wanted me to be, but I never seemed to live up to your expectations.

You always made me feel stupid, and worthless, and like you were the only person who would ever tolerate me. You drove me into depression. So you telling me I'm a whole different person is actually a compliment, because I am finally free to be myself now! Not to mention, my current boyfriend accepts me for all that I am. I'm just sorry you never got to see me that way, because I am pretty great.

You then called me a psycho when I told you I want nothing to do with you. And I hope you know that you calling me a psycho says so much more about you than it does about me.

I am not a psycho for finally being done with all the shit you put me through. I am not a psycho for hating someone who was so abusive. I am not a psycho for leaving someone who cheated on me multiple times, and who made me feel worthless. I am not a psycho for calling you out about your behavior because you are not a good guy - or at least you were not a good guy to me. I also hope you realize that I will not crumble under your sorry attempt to still control me with that comment.

I will not fall for your manipulations ever again.

All I want now is for you to make sure that the next girl you are with is treated like a queen. Because if you fail to change, there will just be another girl in an abusive relationship and she may not have the strength to leave like I did. Hell, it took me six years to be able to get free of you for good.

I also want you to know that I forgive you for what you did to me. For everything you did to me - even if I still have a hard time dealing with my residual feelings of hatred and resentment. I forgive you because everything you put me through helped make me a stronger, more self-reliant person. It helped me recognize what a healthy relationship is not.

It still shocks me how well my current boyfriend treats me sometimes. It helped me recognize the red flags and the treatment that I will no longer tolerate in a relationship. It led me to a road of happiness.

I can truly say now that... I am happy! I have friends who support me, and a boyfriend that I love very much, who is more than I ever could have asked for. I have my family back. And I have myself back!

After all, sometimes you have to weather the storm to be strong enough to enjoy life once you get to your beach.