For a year and a half we were in a relationship neither of us were prepared for. Your mysterious yet sweet ways caught my attention, and for a while I thought we were going to be together forever. But what I didn't realize at that time was that you were ready to settle down and get serious, and I wasn't. Opposites supposedly attract and that's exactly what we were. You partied, I didn't. You drank, I didn't. In hindsight, I guess I took it as a challenge. Our priorities were just completely different. I know now that that's what tore us apart in the end.

At the end of your senior year, you were constantly going out with friends, having fun and enjoying your last year of high school. Totally understandable. I didn't complain (too much) even when it was a spontaneous decision and you cancelled our plans to go out with your friends. I knew I would soon be in your position and you would be just as understanding. Right? Or so I thought.

When it was my turn to enjoy my senior year, you were out of high school and working a full-time job. You weren't as social as I was and our circle of friends had become two circles that were drastically different. Because of that, I always ended up feeling guilty for wanting to go out and do things with my friends. You would complain about having to sit at home, but were too "tired to go with me" and would give me guilt trips about going out, so what did I do? Stayed home.

For the longest time, I wouldn't go and I hated it. Canceling plans with my friends became expected because I always had before . . . until I got tired of missing out. You had already had your fun and were now denying me mine. But how could I just leave someone whom I thought was so good to me, and whom I thought I loved? What I didn't realize is that I had blinders on. I was so determined to make the relationship what I wanted it to be, and to make you the guy I wanted you to be, that I refused to see the truth in who you were and what our relationship really was.

We broke up, and holding on to what we had left wasn't healthy for either of us, but we refused to let go. It took me finding out about lies, secrets and other girls for me to finally realize the toxicity of the "relationship" and for me to fully let go and be done for good.

Although I'm still angry, that will eventually fade. I am not sad or hurt . . . I feel free. You have relieved me of the anxiety, worry, stress, burden, etc. of trying to deal with what we were or were not. I'm grateful because from being mistreated, you taught me how I deserve to be treated. From all the secrets and lies, you taught me that trust means everything. From having no relationship with my family or friends, you taught me that relationships with family and friends is a priority. From keeping me from spending time with my friends, you taught me that I will not be held back. From everything you've put me through, you taught me just what I am capable of and that I am stronger than I thought.

Thank you for the lessons learned. I forgive you.