I can still remember my first heartbreak. I was young and "in love". I thought I knew what love was. I can also still remember my second, third and so on up to the last heartbreak I had. I won't sugar coat it, they all hurt like hell. I remember the cheaters and the liars. I remember crying all night. I remember feeling my heart actually break. I'm the type of girl that will love with all I have and then when it's over I am left hollow and broken.

Each of my past heartbreaks has deeply affected me. They made me believe things were my fault. They told me believable lies and I trusted those lies. Some showed me happiness and adventures while others were nothing but pain. Some I think about and smile while others I shudder at the thought. All those past relationships needed to end for one reason or another: some were so very toxic, some they lied to me, and some just weren't meant to be.

They have also made me realize what I don't want in a relationship.

They have made me stronger. They have made me patient, compassionate, and fearless.

Those past heartbreaks have also done one very, very important thing in my life. And I will thank them everyday.

They led me to you.

Without those who broke me in the past, I would have never met you. The stars wouldn't have aligned the way they did. You would have never walked into my life and completely flipped it upside down.

Without them, there would have never been our silly adventures, our late night talks, and our silly jokes. Without them, there wouldn't be a you and me.

So I will thank those who broke my heart in the past, because although you left me shattered, I was strong enough to pick up my pieces and try again and again. Thank you for breaking my heart, for showing me what love wasn't. Thank you for being a part of my life because for a brief period, you made me happy. But most of all thank you for leading me to the most important person I have ever met. Thank you for showing me that all the pain was worth it. Thank you for him.