Regardless of how many times I encounter it in life, I am forever shocked when a human being tries to break and destroy another, to take away who they are and to rip away their sense of trust in others. It will always surprise me. It's not something I ever want to get used to, but I fear that I will. Make no mistake, though. The surprise fades fast and is replaced by not only anger but sadness as well. While this appears to be addressed to one man, it is, unfortunately, addressed to many whom, over the past year, I have watched attempt to destroy those I hold closest to my heart.

To you, the man who tried to break her,

I will tell you that the surprise was replaced almost instantly with anger. While I'm not proud to admit it, I felt rage in my heart. It has run so deep that I had to ask others to pray for me and for you because all I could see was the sheer anger. Imagine my surprise to hear the stories of what you'd done.

She is a selfless woman. The one easy to laugh and eager to put a smile on anyone's face. We trusted you with her. We all trusted you with a person so near and dear to our hearts. The signs were not there for us to see. The signs of a liar, an abuser, a cheater and a thief.

See, I heard about every sweet text message you sent. Every surprise visit and dozen roses you had delivered. That was why it was hard for us all to see your true colors.

You tried to break her. You tried to end the spirit that was in her. But you failed. Why? Because you didn't count on something. You didn't count on me. I am her friend through it all. I will not leave her and when you chose to try to break her, I was there, along with countless others, to make sure she stayed whole. You did not win because she will never have to fight these battles alone.

You also underestimated her. She is selfless and kind, but she is also so much stronger than you thought, isn't she? She knew when to lean on us so she would not crumble and she knew how to stand back up and fight for her life and her right to live. She is stronger than you. She does not need to try to ruin others to feel powerful. She does not need to cheat, to lie or to abuse to feel worth. She knows her worth and now, because of you, she knows what she doesn't want or deserve in a man.

What you have attempted to do is wrong. I can't say it anymore pointedly than that. At this point in time, though, many people would thank you. They would thank you for leaving when you did so she could grow, and thank you for shaping her into a stronger woman because of your horrific treatment. I won't thank you, though. A man who tries to break her doesn't deserve gratitude. I will say this: I am happy you left sooner rather than later so that sheer negativity could leave her life for good. Now, she can outgrow you and continue to shine brighter than ever.

We have the satisfaction of knowing you did not break her. You will not break her because I will not allow her to fall. We will not allow her to fall and because she is so much stronger than that. You didn't bet on us when you tried to destroy her. We are her best friends and she is ours. You cannot bring her down.

I feel sorry for you, honestly. You will go on through life thinking this treatment to women is okay until you get a very rude awakening. Karma is no friend.You mistreated and lost a beautiful soul and a wonderful woman. That is something you will realize one day. I pray you realize the errors in your way and work to fix them so another woman doesn't have to endure what I watched you do to her. You have seen first hand what a real woman looks like. I pray you gain the strength to become a real man who chooses not to abuse, lie or cheat.