My fiance(e?) broke up with me in a terrible way when I was in my late teens. He was the first guy I’d been in love with, and I would have died for him (it was that crazy, irrational, kind of love). I was completely devastated for many months. It didn’t help that I was used to being the ‘breaker’, not the ‘breakee’, so it was kind of a double blow. I gained so much from the experience. Hindsight really is 20/20!
A) He was a ‘bad boy’. In and out of Juvenile Detention, lots of drugs, carried a knife and sometimes a gun. Thank God I didn’t marry him!
B) I realized that the pain will go away, and I will love someone else again. I met and married my first husband. We were married for 17 years, and we had three wonderful children.
C) After we ^ separated, I met and married my soul mate. Four years and going strong.
D) It changed me, in a way that I thought wasn’t good at the time. I lost my confidence for a while there. As I said, I was used to breaking up with guys… and I was quite cavalier about it. I really had no concern for anyone other than myself. It was very humbling to be on the other end of that. I’ve come to realize that it wasn’t confidence that I lost, it was arrogance. That, I think, is a good thing. :)