Dear Elementary/High School Bullies,

It's odd when I have to look back on my childhood. Some of you were my best friends, and yet you never really made me feel good enough. Now, as a 20-year-old, I look back and realize why I struggle as an adult, and honestly, it's because of you.

When I look at myself in the mirror, I see the girl that was never skinny enough, wore glasses which apparently made you ugly, and was never cool enough to really be in the it-crowd. You may say you really liked me, but what happened to that friendship?

Well, elementary and high school bullies, you've affected me. What may have seemed like childish fun in elementary and high school still haunts me in college. I still remember all the ways you limited my success based on my looks. I still look in the mirror and wish I was smaller.

You have not stopped me. Yes, you helped me see all my faults and see all the little things that I could fix about myself. But I have learned to see how my faults make me human. I have met people who are better "friends" than you ever were, and I have started to move on. You held me back, but now I'm breaking out of that. I'm finding myself, and my confidence as an adult.

I'm doing the things you made fun of me for doing. I wear my glasses all the time, and I look cute doing it. I go to church, and I'm not afraid to say that I'm a Jesus Christ follower. Being bullied as a kid has limited my confidence, my self image, my ego. But I cannot let that stop me. I won't let you win. You've given me the bad, but you've taught me to look in myself for the good.

I don't wish you harm. I wish that you could see the beauty in other people the way that I have had to search in myself. I wish you would think about what you say when you're out at a party, or getting food after class. I hope you don't put someone down like you did me. I hope that your friends don't have to think about what you're saying about them behind their backs.

I hope you have confidence. I know that sometimes people bully because they need to pull themselves up. I want you to know that even though you hurt me, I still think you are a human being who deserves to be loved and cherished. Don't put others down because you need to be pushed up, but know that someone, someone that you hurt, still loves you. Know that you are worth so much more than all the hate you put inside yourself.

You are a wonderful human, and you don't need to hurt others like you hurt me. Learn from my pain and just, be nice.

Sincerely,

The Bullied.