Dear girl in an abusive relationship,

I could hear the fear in your voice as you ran to the truck. I'm sure you weren't aware my boyfriend and I were sitting in our car besides it.

I could feel the tears streaming down your face, as they were streaming down mine that same way not long ago.

I dared not to look at what was happening, besides us in that truck. I was stuck, so frozen in time, I couldn't move. My boyfriend and I looked at each other, torn at what to do.

We kept to ourselves, but we were listening, standing idly by ready to jump to your rescue, if things escalated too far. I wish I could've done more than just sit back and wait.

I wish I could've jumped in and told him to stop yelling at you. I wish I could've jumped in and told him to stop getting in your face. I wish I could've helped you, the way I so badly wish someone would've helped me.

Your voice, your tears, brought back all the memories. All the times I sat, too scared to move, unable to do anything but let the tears fall as the man who was supposed to love me, screamed in my face.

I know your pain all too well. I know the struggle all too well. You sit there, wondering if it will ever end...it will.

You will gain the strength, it is hidden there inside you. You are so much stronger than he (and yourself) gives you credit for. You have the strength to defeat your demons, both inside and right in front of you.

I know you're scared, you never know what level someone will stoop to. You're in a constant fear of saying or doing the wrong thing that you walk on eggshells whenever he's around.

He brainwashes you into thinking, you can't get anyone better than me. Nobody else will love you the way that I do. He says it so much you begin to believe him. That if you leave him, you'll be alone forever.

You won't.

There is love so much better than that. Love that means so much more than that. There is someone out there, who would never get in your face the way that he does. Would never fight with you, the way he does. That will love you, ten times more than he does. That will care for you, so much more than he does.

There is a better love out there for you.

I wish I did more, than just sit idly by that night. I remember how badly I wanted someone to help me. Please know you are strong, you can leave.

You are beautiful. You deserve more than him. You deserved to be loved....

the right way.

I know you don't know who to turn to. You don't know how to handle the situation. You want to get out, but you don't want to make him angrier. You have to find someone you trust. Someone that you've known long before you started seeing him. Meet them for coffee in a public place. Tell them all the details, all the things you've never shared with anyone.

Explain how scared you are. That if it hasn't already gotten physical, that you feel it may at any point. They will help you. Those that love you would never want to see you continue with a man that doesn't make you feel safe. That keeps you walking on eggshells, scared to make your next move.

Girl in an abusive relationship, please get help. The longer you wait, the sooner it could be too late.

The sooner you get out, the sooner true love can be your fate.

From,

the girl once in your shoes.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE STRUGGLING WITH AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP, REACH OUT IMMEDIATELY. NO ONE SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS ALONE.

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233