If you ask any young adult what their best childhood memory was, you'd get a variety of answers ranging from 'going to Disneyland' to 'seeing Hannah Montana in concert'- or maybe even just spending time with family or friends. If you asked me this question, however, you'd get a very different answer.

So, what is my favorite childhood memory?

Well, let me give some background first. My favorite years were by far the hardest of my entire life thus far. Fourth grade (I think I was around 9 or 10 years old) was an extremely difficult time for me, yet the most rewarding of my 20 years. Every single day was a struggle, thanks to the bullies who made my life seem meaningless. The horrible names I was called, the daily dose of being ignored, and the fake friends who constantly backstabbed me and shunned me at such a young age shaped me to be the strong, compassionate, empathetic, and well-rounded person I am today.

And so yes, as messed up as it sounds, being bullied was my favorite childhood memory.

I didn't know it at the time, but those terrible kids (hopefully they've changed by now) set the stage for me to grow into a much better person. I learned at such a young age what it felt like to be ridiculed and made fun of. I learned what it felt like to be an outcast. Obviously, it wasn't a good feeling. I was always the ugly duckling of the group- I hit puberty super late, and never really "blossomed" until later in high school. I wasn't too great at being social, I had some acquaintances and two or three close "friends," who would later turn their back on me. I was always a nice kid who wanted to please everyone, which was another issue, as it invited these bullies to walk all over me.

I kept a journal in fourth grade, documenting the day by day experiences that 10-year -old Me was going through. It's filled with sad faces and depressing notes, and the occasional four word phrase that should never be written or said: "I want to die" ...

Imagine feeling so horrible at such a young age that you need to resort to a journal to talk about your depressive thoughts. Newsflash: it's a horrible feeling that I wouldn't wish upon anyone.

As I grew older the toxic friends and I drifted apart, and I made friends with some real people who I know loved and supported me (and still do to this day!). I was happy and in a good place. Everything was fine until my freshman year of high school, where I began to meet new people who also turned out to be toxic. Once again, the harassment continued. This time it was mostly via the social media, which might be even worse than in person. Here's a quick example of one of my favorite messages:

Apparently, I was "mean and nasty and fake", when in reality, I think I was (am) the opposite. Despite all of these road bumps and interactions with people who made me feel less than whole, I came out stronger and better than ever. I recollected myself after freshman year, and my next three years of high school were amazing. I had real friends who treated me with love and respect. I would never wish any harsh treatment upon anyone else, which is why I now live day by day treating others with the utmost respect and kindness. I've learned to include everyone, no matter how "weird" they may appear. I've learned to be an advocate for cyberbullying, in an effort to put a stop to it once and for all. And, not to compare myself to anyone else, but I think I've risen above those who once tried to put me down. I still read my journal and those messages today, to remind myself how far I've come.

I am strong and capable, and undeserving of how I was treated.

I now understand that everything happens for a reason, and had I not learned these lessons earlier, I probably wouldn't have learned them for a while.

I have been a support system and advocate for those who are in the spot I was once in.

And, more recently, I have choreographed a contemporary dance trio with two of my best friends about bullying, in order to raise awareness and inspire people to do the same.

So a huge thank you to all of those who have tried to knock me down. You may have succeeded in the past, but you sure as hell won't in the future. Xoxo.