My High School Boyfriend

My high school boyfriend was a master manipulator, using lies, guilt, and anger to control me.

He asked me what I would do if he got another girl pregnant, and a few weeks later, I found out I was pregnant too. It was soul crushing, the shame and guilt overwhelming. I felt like I was living in a really bad episode of Jerry Springer.

The physical abuse, the emotional manipulation, and the constant belittling changed me. I was a shell of my former self, a mere spectator of the passionate girl I once was.

Through the years, I’ve struggled to trust, to love, and to connect with others. I've made mistakes, chosen the wrong partners, and settled for less than I deserved.

But through it all, I've learned to prioritize my own well-being, to cherish my children, to stand up for myself, and to never compromise my value.

Our first experiences, especially those that are traumatic or painful, can have a profound impact on the rest of our lives.

They shape our perceptions, our relationships, and our sense of self-worth. But it's never too late to break free.

It's never too late to heal, to forgive ourselves, and to rediscover who we really are.