An open letter to the boy who broke my heart:

First and foremost, thank you. Thank you for breaking my heart. Thank you for those sleepless, tear-filled nights. Thank you for those sleepless, ranting, wine filled girls nights. Thank you for letting me let you in and let you see the broken and bruised parts of me. You showed me how important a greeting with a hug and a kiss is to me, because I never received them from you. You showed me how important is it to learn to love myself. I know you never did love me, and because you broke my heart, I learned to love myself. I learned how create my own happiness, and not depend on others for my happiness.

Thank you for so much. Thank you for showing me how the late night pillow talks are important, because you and I never had such talks. Thank you for reminding me not to blame myself for your actions, because during our time "together", I spent a lot of time doing such. Blaming myself for your actions, which I had no control over, because I thought I was not good enough for you. Your past is not my fault, and making me feel guilty for your actions is not healthy. You reminded me that I am good enough for you, but you weren't good enough for me. You were not good for me. Sometimes, we need the bad intermixed with the good, so we learn to appreciate what we have and will have. Thank you for not being good for me because I realized what I needed in a relationship and you were not and are not it. In some odd way, I must thank you for leading me on and toying with my emotions because now I know what a real relationship looks and feels like.

For all those nights I spent crying over you, thank you. You reminded me that no boy is worth my tears. No boy should ever make me wonder if perhaps I am not thin or in shape enough for him to love me. No boy should ever make me hate myself and blame myself for his actions and unfaithfulness. No boy should ever be the cause of my pain. There should be no scars on my body because of a boy.

This is not a sarcastic, bitter letter, which I am writing to you. This is a heartfelt, meaningful letter. You taught me many life lessons, which without you, I would not have learned until perhaps it was too late. You taught me what I want in life and love. As a result of my broken heart, I appreciate my friends, mentors, and family so much more, because you, in all your jejune and indecisiveness reminded me how important, significant, and imperative they are to my growth as a human being, scholar, and all-around person. I learned so much from you, but the most important aspect I will take away from everything is that I am worthy of love, I am good enough, and no one can take away from me.

Thank you.