The strongest girls are the ones who had their hearts shattered by someone they trusted, someone they never thought would hurt them, someone they once believed they would be spending forever alongside.
Because those girls went through a kind of pain that no one should ever have to experience. They made it through extreme heartbreak. Through waves of tears. Through nights of questioning whether they did something wrong, whether they said something wrong, whether they just weren’t good enough.
The strongest girls are the ones who have been cheated on, because surviving a betrayal like that takes courage. It takes a whole lot of self-confidence to ignore the doubt in the back of your mind and to realize that, no, you did not deserve this. And yes, you are better than him. Better than this relationship. Better than what he put you through.
The strongest girls are the ones who know their worth, even though someone they trusted tried to make them feel like they didn’t matter. Even though the person who was supposed to care about them more than anyone else made them feel like complete crap.
The strongest girls are the ones who understand that cheating isn’t a normal part of a relationship, that it is unacceptable, and that they don’t have to put up with it. They are the ones who are not going to settle for someone who treats them like an option instead of a priority.
The strongest girls are the ones who know their own worth and won’t let any boy redefine them. They are the ones who would rather be single than in an unhealthy relationship. The ones who would rather sleep alone than in a bed with someone who shares it with more than just her.
The strongest girls are the ones who have had their hearts bruised and broken, but still have hope that they are going to find an authentic love.
They are the ones who have been hurt by someone they really liked — but still haven’t given up on dating. The ones who believe that someone loyal is out there, waiting to be found. The ones who are still able to trust future partners, even though they have been deceived by exes in the past. The ones who still have faith in people, even though they have seen the worst sides of them.
The strongest girls are the ones who never let the pain of their past define their future. The ones who know that, even though they have been cheated on before, it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again in every new relationship. The ones who know that all men aren’t the same, and neither are all relationships.
The strongest girls are the ones who have every reason to give up on love, to stay single forever, and to keep their heart locked away — but they choose to continue taking risks, to continue putting themselves out there, to continue searching for love.
They are the ones who never give up hope. 
Holly Riordan is the author of Lifeless Souls, available here.
