"So I wanna say thank you/ 'Cause it/ Makes me that much stronger/ Makes me work a little bit harder/ It makes me that much wiser/ So thanks for making me a fighter/ Made me learn a little bit faster/ Made my skin a little bit thicker/ Makes me that much smarter/ So thanks for making me a fighter" -Christina Aguilera

One day, Christina's song started playing on Pandora. It made me stop and think. If it was not for every hardship I have endured, I would not be the person that I am.

First, thank you to the first divorce I experienced. It taught me that I need to do what is best for me. When I told my father that I no longer want him and "mom" married, I began learning how to voice my opinion. He was not happy, and I could tell. It hurt me more watching them than it did when I went back and forth between houses. Also, because of your constant fighting when I was a child, I clung to school. It was the only aspect of my life in my control. Because of that, I graduated top in my class and have made Dean's List in college.

Thank you to the "mom" who stopped raising me when I was 12. It gave me a new perspective on people. Now, I am still unsure how you stop raising your daughter and start using her as a pawn in a game, but I will never understand that. I do understand that you are mentally ill. You may or may not remember the moments that have now scarred me for life, but I do. The few times that we speak now, you question as to why we cannot have a relationship. I unfortunately have to remind you. You may want to know your "adult daughter" now, but I have to keep my distance. You do not understand your actions. Distance is what is best for me. Like I said earlier, your divorce taught me to do what is best for me. Because of your absence, another woman picked up where you left off. I am a better person because of the both of you.

Thank you to the guy that did not accept it when I said, "no." Now, this may sound crazy. Why would I thank you? You made my life come to a crashing halt for years. I use to freak out if I saw a car that looked like yours, or your car or you for the longest time. I was scared of guys. However, you made me look at my life. I saw the person that I was becoming and the path that I was headed down. I changed quickly. I love my life now. I pray for you though. I am sorry you made that choice. I hope you make better ones in the future.

I have many aspects of my life that are amazing as well. Those also influence who I am as a person. All of these pieces have created who I am. Nobody's life is perfect. However, the way you view your life makes all of the difference.