I'm never going to be a victim because I know I wasn't perfect. But I'm also never going to put my mistakes at the same level as yours. I'm not going to regret wasting my time with you because I have so much to thank you for. Without you, I would've never realized that I was worth so much more.

Thank you for teaching me a lesson about trust.

Our relationship got to a point where lies and sneaking around became normal. After a while, I was no longer brave enough to ask questions. I was afraid to ask you where you were going. To this day, I still don't know what scared me more; you or the answer. I realized that trust is a necessity in order to have a "healthy" relationship. Therefore, you and I both know that our relationship was anything but "healthy." Because of you, I now know enough not to settle for a boy who can't tell the truth.

Thank you for never listening.

Whenever I had a problem, you were the last person I wanted to go to. Even if I did go to you with a problem, our conversations always ended with me giving you advice instead. Your problems were always far more "complicated" and "stressful" compared to mine. It always had to be about you. Because of that, I learned to listen to my own advice. I no longer need to rely on anyone else.

Thank you for always blaming me.

Every problem we had always led back to me and something I did. Even if the problem had to do with you being dishonest, it was still my fault. I was the one who did something to make you act that way. The worst part about it is that I used to believe it. I would full-heartedly take the blame. You deserve an award for manipulation. Because of you, I'm wiser. I don't let people take advantage of my kindness anymore.

Thank you for tricking me into believing that I didn't deserve you.

You made it a point to make me feel like I wasn't good enough for you; that I wasn't worthy enough to be in your presence. You made me believe that I needed you and that you were doing me a favor by staying with me. We both know that was never true, even though I thought it was. Actually, I guess you were right. I didn't deserve you, I deserved someone so much better.

Thank you for showing me what love wasn't.

I somehow believed, at the time, that everything you did was out of love. You skewed my perception of what love was. In your defense, I think your perception was skewed too. Because of you, I know now that love is not distrust, manipulation, screaming matches, or empty threats. It's the exact opposite.

Thank you for making me stronger. Thank you for making me a fighter. Thank you for being the epitome of someone that I will never settle for -- ever again. I picked up my pieces. You tried to break me forever, but you failed.