I used to believe in romance. I would read Nicholas Sparks novels with hope in my heart that I'd have a love story like the characters in those books some day.

I used to listen to Taylor Swift songs and sing at the top of my lungs with the certainty that I'd find a love just as passionate as the kind she'd sing about.

I wanted to hold your hand and kiss you in the rain. I wanted to love you the way they love each other in old country songs.

I loved the idea of love. I loved loving you.

But you stole that from me. You made me feel worthless, as if I didn't deserve to be loved purely.

I began to turn off my emotions. I silenced my desires. To you, they were a burden. Slowly, I stopped expressing my feelings towards my friends and my family.

You downplayed my talents and my accomplishments. I lost all of my confidence. I felt insignificant. I questioned myself and the role I played in other peoples' lives, especially yours.

You didn't love me for me. And eventually... it destroyed me.

I didn't recognize myself anymore.

So congratulations, you wore me down. I lost myself trying to keep you. I lost myself trying to be the girl of your dreams.

I gave you the power to validate my worth and who I am. For that, I can only blame myself.

But as I take a step back, I see you for the boy that you are.

I deserve a man that will love me for my obsession with rap music, my endless craving for everything chocolate and the way I look without makeup. And someday, that man will be so thankful you let me go.

However, because of you, I can rediscover myself, or even rebuild myself. I'll be stronger, kinder and vibrant. My heart will be filled with love for myself and those who truly care about me.

All I can do now is thank you. Thank you for lighting a fire in me that I knew I've always had; a fire that will burn bright and powerful and a fire that will warm and bring light to those around me and myself.

So, here's to you, the boy who changed me and the same one who inspired me to be even better than before.

The best is yet to come.

XOXO,

The girl you don't deserve