It is only fair to be heartbroken when you go through a breakup, and to wonder what you could have done to prevent this from happening, but don't beat yourself up. That is their goal. They want to feel as if they have won, they want to walk away feeling okay while you sit in bed crying being completely broken. Do not let them win.

I do not mean for any of this to come across hostile by any means. This is just how I coped with my break up. So, to my ex's family who will most likely see this article, please know that I still appreciate everything your son did for me, and allowing me to be a part of your family.

To my ex, thank you for breaking my heart. Thank you for allowing me to truly see how strong I can be. You broke up with me after five years together, and that is OK. People change, and we move into different parts of our lives, and that is okay. That is life. I respect the decision you made. I really do.

With making the decision you made, you tried to break me. You tried to break my heart, but I could not let that happen. After initially being heartbroken, and totally confused I had people around me that were able to make me see what really mattered.

My happiness comes first. It always will. I have always appreciated the happiness you brought to me while we were together, but I lost sight of creating my own happiness. I do not blame you for any of that though. I was truly happy with you. Thanks to the nasty breakup we went through, I finally saw that I have to control my happiness.

When you called to break up with me, I thought my world was falling apart. I let you be there for so much; you were my best friend. That was all gone. What was I going to do?

Wow. I really did underestimate myself. I have strengthened friendships that I already had, and most importantly I strengthened myself. I am doing big things because of what you did to me. So thank you. It is not a thank you that you deserve, but you do at the same time.

To anyone out there that feel completely heartbroken because of a breakup, it is OK. You get to feel heartbroken, sad, angry, and upset for a few days. Do not let that person break you, though. Do not let them dictate your happiness. You are more than what they are making you feel like. You will always be special. You can create your own happiness however it may come to you. You are free. Be you.

To those who are breaking hearts (I know that it is not intentional) please remember there is a person on the other side of the break up. Do not forget that they matter. Give them the answers they deserve; do not make them feel as if they are worth nothing.

You do not get to break me.