A Year Ago...

A year ago, if you told me I would be sitting next to my boyfriend on our tiny couch in our even tinier apartment, I would have looked at you and said, "no way."

A year ago, If you told me that I would finally understand what real love feels like, I would have told you, "true love doesn't exist."

A year ago, if you told me that today I would feel fiercely and unapologetically strong, I would have said to you, "I don't believe you."

A year ago, if you told me that I would be able to speak up against those who have tried to manipulate and control me, I would have said, "I'm not strong enough."

And yet, here I am today, living with the man of my dreams --a man who has shown me what authentic love is supposed to be, and I am strong, independent, and fiercly, fiercly happy. 

Isn't it amazing what just a year can do?