So you had a boyfriend or girlfriend who you thought would be in your life forever. That person you could call at 3 a.m. to cry to because school or work was stressful, or because something great happened and you just had to share it with them. After all, only they understood your excitement. Right? They’re your support through this crazy journey we are blessed to call life. You had made plans for future vacations, talked about your dreams, about things that scared you, about kids and a family, people you liked and your darkest secrets. This person knew a lot if not everything about you. This person even made promises to you that you believed they would keep because you trusted them.

Over time, this has changed. You keep denying it, lying to yourself for a month or two that you don’t see something different in them. When it finally does hit you, it feels like you’ve been hit by a train. This important person has made a choice to not include you in their life.

I was there late last summer. We’ve all probably been in this position and it’s one of the hardest things to deal with. A part of you is missing and you’re honestly not sure if you’ll ever get that piece of you back. But the thing is they made a choice to walk out of your life.

I’m going to hit you with some truth: Loving is a choice. Rather, for your best friend, or boyfriend, or girlfriend, it is a choice. People don’t just stop loving another person, it’s a conscious decision. The person you cared about and loved decided to stop loving you and, believe me, that is a hard bit to swallow. They decided to not see you as the person they fell in love with, or someone they called their best friend. They began seeing your flaws and differences and only those to make themselves be further away.

Love is not effortless and anyone who tells you that is lying. It is a decision when you wake up each and everyday to look past someone else's flaws and still love them. It is a decision to love someone despite the mistakes they’ve made, the argument you had the night before, or the differences you have. That alone takes effort, believe me.

The reality is, them walking away is no one’s fault but theirs. I get the fact that you might be hurt, like really hurt, and even disappointed in them. You made the decision to hold on to promises and love them despite the many reasons or people around you telling you, you shouldn’t. You chose to look past their flaws that annoy you. That alone makes you already a stronger person than you realize because you made the decision to love them for everything not just pieces.

From everything this person put you through, rather it be lying, cheating, just walking away when you really needed them or all of the above, you in some way deserve an apology. A sincere one. But guess what? It’s probably not coming, so stop waiting.

Take a good look at those currently in your life. Those people chose to stick by your side during times you've ever needed them. Those people decided to be a friend when you needed one. Who wants someone in their life who lies to you and isn’t there for someone they claim to love when they need them? No one.

Not one person on this Earth deserves to hear the words, “You’re not worth it.” But your friends and family who have stood by your side, answered their phones at one in the morning or have taken huge leaps to make sure you’re OK, have continuously said that you ARE worth it. No matter what someone told you before you are always worth it.

The moment you decide to let go of what’s hurting you, will be a freeing moment. The moment you decide to move forward with your life and stop waiting on someone to come around will be a moment that you will see how strong and great of a person you are. Be thankful for the one who hurt you, because you wouldn’t be who you are today without them. My advice is to stop waiting on that apology and let go. Let go and love those that are in your life.