This is not to bash you, I promise.

There are very few people in this world who can say they don't have an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend. There are even fewer that can say that they have ended those relationships on good terms. I like to consider myself one of those people.

Every one of my relationships has been different, which means every breakup has been different as well. There is an ex that I am still friends with, there is the ex that gave me more than I could give him, and there is the ex that gave me a taste of my own medicine. I am thankful for every lesson I have learned from these relationships.

Everyone's first serious relationship feels like the most important thing in the world. If you did not feel that way, it wasn't that serious of a relationship. For a year and a half, you were my world, and I learned so much from you. I learned what I thought I wanted and did not want in a relationship. I learned what it means when families are a part of your relationship. Most importantly, I learned the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. You taught me to appreciate others, but also to believe in myself and follow my dreams, even when they didn't include you, Thank you for continuing to be my friend and support me in everything I do. I would also like to give a big thanks to your dad for always checking up on me.

I jumped into my next relationship, and I fell hard. You seemed to tick every box on the list that I had created of what I thought I wanted. You were older, set on your goals. You were confident and so set on your future. But what is meant to be will work out, and what I thought I loved turned out to be one of the biggest issues for me. My jumping in ended up hurting you in the long run, but we both taught each other so much about ourselves. You showed me how I should be treated and that sometimes things don't work out how you think they are supposed to. People can be in two different places in life and that can make all of the difference. I hope you are doing well, I hope you're happy and I hope you find that love you deserve.

Finally, I got a taste of my own medicine. You blindsided me and I felt so broken and lost. I had always been the one who broke things off, to cut the final thread. Karma caught up, and as much as it sucked, it was ultimately a great experience for me to learn what it was like on the other side. We both said things we didn't mean, but I want you to know that I still want you to be happy, and I am completely okay. I truly hope you figure out what you want and find happiness.

I have to thank all of you for everything you have taught me. I would not be who I am, or where I am with someone who checks all my (revised) boxes had I not had you in my life at one point or another. Also, a huge thank you to your families for accepting me and making me feel like one of their own.

I truly believe that you have to love yourself before you can love someone else, and all of you have helped me reach that place today.

Good luck in everything you do.

Thanks for the memories.