To The Guys Who Treat Girls Like Just Another Notch On Their Bedpost

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Congratulations! You did what no guy before you could ever do: you made me open up to you. I fell for you. I let you in. You were the first guy to see my vulnerable side. The first guy to get past my walls.

I’ve always been the shy, unapproachable girl. In high school, most guys ignored me, and the few that tried to get close to me were always swiftly shut down with a blank stare and shake of the head. I was so scared of getting hurt that I isolated myself.

Then you came into my life. From the minute I saw you, I knew I was a goner. All of my walls fell to the ground like they were made of sand. I told you about my hopes and dreams. I shared my deepest fears with you. You were the first guy to hold my hand, and you were my first kiss. I dreamt of a future with you. I loved you with everything in me, and I was so sure that I would marry you one day. I thought that you loved me, too.

Unfortunately, you went running at the first sign of trouble. The one guy I had opened up to shut me out completely. And let me tell you: that hurts. A lot. I cried nonstop and couldn’t eat for three days. I thought my future was gone, that if I couldn’t have you, I couldn’t have anything.

Maybe knowing how much you hurt me makes you a little sad, but more than likely it just makes you proud. I may be just another notch in your belt to you, but I know that I’m worth so much more than that.

So let me be the first to say thank you.

Thank you for showing me that I can get back up after I get pushed to the ground and be stronger for it. Thank you for giving me hope for the future. Thank you for helping me overcome my irrational fear of love.

I’m no longer terrified of being vulnerable and getting hurt. You gave me a taste of love, and now I can’t wait for the real thing because I know it’s going to be even more amazing than what we had. And I’m willing to have my heart broken a few times to find it, because I know it won’t kill me.

I know that I am beautiful and interesting and loveable. I know that I have a lot to give. I know that I’m one of a kind. And some guy, someday will see that and love me for it. He will love my independence and intelligence. He will love the things that made you run like a scared little boy.

You may have broken my heart, but you have also made me more confident. I want to meet new people. I want to try new things. I want to experience life. I want to change the world. And I’m going to, because you changed mine.

You broke my heart, but you didn’t break me.