I know many people may read the title of this article and think, "Girl, you are crazy. Why on earth would you want to thank him? He cheated on you! He's a horrible person." Well, they are wrong. You, my dear ex, are not a horrible person. Let me be clear. Of course, I am angry. I feel betrayed, and I know that I cannot trust you. You forced me to question my decisions. However, you provided me with a learning opportunity, so for that I am thankful.

Thank you for teaching me how to love. Even though you clearly did not love me as much I loved you, I learned what it is like to love and care for someone other than myself. I am aware of that feeling, and I know that I want to feel the way I felt while I was with you with someone who will actually feel the exact same way as I feel for them. I deserve happiness, and I realized that after you.

I am now able to recognize red flags when they appear. Taking down the photo of the two of us on Instagram should have been a big one. However, I was blind and so willing to trust that yes, you were trying to connect your Instagram more toward your hobby and would never do anything sketchy behind my back after you fought for my trust after you cheated on me the first time. I was naive to let my guard down so quickly during your second chance. We knew everything about each other which meant that you knew I saw the good in everyone, and you took full advantage of that.

However, the fact that I see the good in everyone allows me to recognize that I deserve better. I deserve the good morning text messages you used to send me, saying how beautiful, caring and wonderful I am. I was blinded by the glamour that you brought to our relationship. I never once had someone love me, so I believed you. But, I don't need you to tell me how wonderful, caring and beautiful I am. I already know. You made me realize it. Your charm and manners are what I deserve, but from someone else.

So thank you for walking out of my life when you did. Watching you walk away was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do. You left me confused and emotionally destroyed. I thought that I would never be happy again, but I am so happy now. Being able to evaluate my life and the life I had with you was the greatest gift you gave me, because I now know that I am better off free. I will find someone who will treat me the way you did but actually mean it. So thank you for providing me with the learning experience of a lifetime. Hopefully, this mistake won't happen again.