To the kids who bullied me in school,

First off I want to say that I forgive you all. I am a far different person than I was in elementary, middle and high school as I'm sure you all are, as well. Despite the fact that you made me feel awful, ugly, alone and like a loser, you made me strong, independent and confident in who I am, flaws and all. Getting to this positive place, though, took a lot of time and college (AKA getting away from you all). The funny thing is I'm not even sure if you remember the mean things you would say to me and others; now, you follow me on Twitter and like my pictures on Instagram. As great as this newfound "friendship" is, I haven't forgotten how many days I didn't want to go to school because I thought I wasn't pretty like the other girls or how I would ask my parents if I was too skinny because that is what all the kids at school said. You did that when you made fun of me in class or pushed me on the ground at recess; I have forgiven, but for my own journey, I won't forget.

Most of you probably didn't even realize the effect your words had on me because I didn't show it like many other kids who are bullied in school. I laughed with my friends, participated in my classes, went to sports practices, but when I got home, I often cried at nights because I didn't know how to make people like me or how to be "cool." I would eat all the time and my legs were still too skinny, I tried to wear makeup, but I was still ugly. I tried not to answer so many questions in class because everyone called me a teachers pet, but really, I just loved to learn. Like so many other kids, I didn't talk about it or try to make it stop, and that is my biggest regret. Had I said something to you, maybe you would have stopped, maybe it was just funny to you and you thought I didn't care, and in that respect, I share the responsibility. However, that experience made me who I am today, so I wouldn't change it.

If by some chance you do read this, I don't need you to apologize or feel bad for something I got over years ago. However, what I do want is for you to pass on to your kids not to say mean things to their peers, no matter how funny they think it is. Love all people, including their flaws. Acne, frizzy hair, skinny legs, crooked teeth, wearing big glasses, whatever it is, no kid should ever not want to go to school because they are scared of what other kids are going to say. Kindness is something this world can always use more of; we already have too much hate!

Bullying isn't cool, but spreading kindness is!