Hey Stranger

Hey Stranger, it’s been a while since the last time we talked. Honestly, I didn’t think I had anything else to say, but I do. Stranger, thank you for the lessons learned.

Thank you for showing me how not to communicate. The naivety kept from realizing that the constant arguments were not healthy. The “love” blinded me from seeing that constant accusations were a major red flag. What can I say? I was young. I let you lead the way. However, I can’t blame you for everything, Stranger. I was an opponent in each argument and I contributed to allowing them to continue. But Stranger, thank you for the laughs as I look back on those moments. Thank you for helping me get to where I needed to be in life. Thank you for showing me what I no longer want to be a part of in a relationship. 

Thank you for showing me that I deserve better. I wasn’t aware of my worth at the time, but because of those lessons, I do know now. It’s funny to reflect and think you were the “one,” to think that our relationship was the best that would come for me, and for us. I hope you’ve changed as well. I hope you have taken those same moments and learned from them. If you haven’t, it’s long overdue for you, Stranger. 

Thank you for walking away when I didn’t have the courage to do so. Thank you for leaving and ignoring my pleading. I wasn’t ready to let go of what I thought was a special thing, but the only good that came from it was again, an abundance of growth and learning. I am not ashamed of the girl I was before; she didn’t know any better. But the woman I am now is wise, and deflecting negative vibes from entering her space. She knows what she wants, and she is not going to settle for less.

Take care, Stranger.

-Imani Reed