I have had my fair share of heartbreak. I've been emotionally abused, cheated on, and treated as less than I deserve over the years. But I still believe in love more now than ever, after all this heartbreak.

Love is everything. Love is beauty and chaos mixed into one. Love is something I refuse to give up on, no matter what.

Most people after all the heartbreak would give love a bad name, but I have never been one of those people. Don't get me wrong, I've tried to give love a bad name and pretended to be heartless, but that usually lasts about three hours before I realize I can't. I always have been, and always will be, a hopeless romantic. It is as simple and complicated as that.

Some people see that as a flaw in me, because it means I'm more susceptible to heartbreak, and maybe they are right. But I choose to see it as a strength and a blessing. It means that no matter how badly I get hurt I will always believe in more, I’ll always believe in love, and I’ll always pick up the pieces and come back strong. To me, that's an amazing blessing. It is part of what makes me who I am.

The most strength I've attained in life is from the relationships that didn't work. If there's one thing I know how to do, it's how to recover from a broken heart with more of an appreciation for love.

I realize that, being the hopeless romantic I am, there is a chance I could get my heart broken again. And yes, I understand it might be awhile till I find my “happily ever after." But I'm okay with that, because I know it'll be worth it.

I won't look and search for love, because I know the greatest love will come when I least expect it. I'll continue to focus on myself and the ones around me that I love. I'll continue to better myself and create the future I want, so when the right one comes along, there will be no hesitation that I'm ready.

I won't give up on love, because although it doesn't always last, I still believe that you're damn lucky if you even get to experience it at all. So, appreciate it while it lasts, and even when it ends, never stop believing in love.