I'm grateful to have had an ex-boyfriend. Most girls would talk badly about their ex, but I can't seem to do that. Don't get me wrong, there were times that we were toxic for each other, times where I don't think I can forgive him for what he's done, but in the end he was a good person and I truly did love him.

I realize looking back that people do come into your life for a reason.

Because of him, I'm who I am today.

In the end, I'm thankful for not only him, but him breaking my heart.

If I had the chance to tell him why I'm thankful for him, this is what I would say. . .

Dear Ex,

Funny how we both never thought that those two letters would ever describe the relationship we have. When things were good for us, they were good, real good. But with all the good, comes the bad, things that me and you still to this day avoid discussing. You taught me how to love someone, how to put someone's feelings before my own. You always believed in me, there were nights I would break down because of stress and you were there telling me to keep going. You would put up with my mood swings, and everyone knows they're not easy to deal with. I want to thank you for not only all that, but for knowing that in order for me to succeed we couldn't be together. I hated you for always saying that, but I can't thank you enough. You've allowed me to grow as a person, meet incredible people and get out of my comfort zone. Because of you, I'm attending my dream school and following my dream. Although you ending things completely ruined me for a little bit, it made me stronger. Our relationship taught me what I should and shouldn't do in my next one. You were my best friend at one point, someone that I looked up to. Thank you for teaching me how to move on, how to let go of the past. Thank you for all the memories, whether they were bad or good. Thank you for breaking my heart, because of it, it made me who I am today.

Thank you because I'm happy with who I've become.

-The girl that was