My partner and I had just broken up. It was one of those breakups you didn’t see coming. I guess at the time, I wasn’t sure it was completely done. We had maintained communication. It wasn’t the cleanest of breaks. Each time we spoke I put on a brave face but I was a total wreck deep down inside. I clung to each word of our conversations and hoped they signified that we would get back together.
One day after a late-night call with my ex-partner, a call filled with mixed messages, I miss you’s, and reminiscing on the good times, I received a message from my Ex’s sister. She suggested we meet the following day at a restaurant to chat. I said sure, and prepared to meet her. I wondered what it was she wanted to talk about.
The following day, I walked into the restaurant and greeted her with a hug. It was great to see her, her warmth made me feel immediately at ease. After exchanging some pleasantries and ordering an appetizer, she asked me how things were going with her brother. I expressed my experience; I explained why things ended highlighting that we still speak. She then proceeded to warn me. She highlighted that things might not be exactly how they seem. The reason he had given for the break-up may be a bit of a façade. She said her brother had moved on and was spending a lot of time getting to know a new woman.
He had moved on and was spending a lot of time getting to know a new woman
I was crushed. That was not the picture he had painted with me. She saw the brokenness in my eyes. She consoled me and encouraged me. ‘Don’t worry girl! You will be okay! You are strong, you will bounce back!” At that moment the song Stronger by Kelly Clarkson started playing in the Restaurant. She said “Listen! This song is just for You! You will come out of this!”
She said, “This song is just for You! You will come out of this!
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That song told me, “you might be down now, but don’t let that man think he can get the best of you.” You will rise again, better than before. Now that I look back, I can really say that I made it out of that situation a whole lot stronger than I ever was before. Sometimes you just need a reminder – what doesn’t break you, makes you stronger!
Sometimes you just need a reminder – what doesn’t break you, makes you stronger!
Anonymous, Woman
Ontario, Canada