If you were given the chance to talk to the person who bullied you in the past, what would you say to them?
#1. “Hi, remember me?”
You probably haven’t thought about me at all since graduation. But I have. Sometimes when I look in the mirror, I’m reminded of the girl who used to lay low and let you walk all over her. But you know what? I’m happy. Because even when I thought my world was falling into pieces around me, I survived. I’m my own hero.
#2. “Everyone is a little different.”
Back then, you bullied me for being the weird kid in class. But the moment I stepped outside the four walls of high school, I saw an entirely new perspective. It was a place where people actually celebrated diversity. I received nothing but encouragement and love from people who were a little weird themselves. And because of them, I stopped hiding.
#3. “I actually love who I am, and other people do, too.”
It turns out that the things you made me feel bad for were lovable to somebody else. Later on in my life, I met people who considered my extra weight “voluptuous” and who thought my thick glasses were sexy. What I discovered is that beauty is subjective, and that I should never let one person’s opinions affect the way I see myself.
#4. “You made me a stronger person.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” is cliche but it’s totally true. After being tripped several times back then (both literally and figuratively), I’ve picked myself up, dusted myself off, and continued on my merry way. There are scars, yes, and it still hurts every time I think about what you made me go through, but I’ve managed to move on despite all of that.
#5. “Let it end with you.”
It breaks my heart to know that some other poor child will have to go through what should be the best days of their life looking over their shoulder. Someday, you will have children, and they will soak up all your beliefs and behavior like a sponge in water. Please don’t let your son or daughter relive our high school dynamic, and throw another kid to the snake pit.
#6. “You didn’t win.”
If your goal was to break me, then I’m sorry but you failed. The humiliation I felt back then became the engine that propelled my success. So in a way I have you to thank. I sincerely hope you have found a path to happiness that does not involve trampling on other people. If you haven’t, I feel so sad for you.
#7. “I forgive you.”
For as long as I can remember, I have harbored nothing but hatred for you in my heart. I wanted to hurt you the same way you hurt me; I wanted you to feel the pain of being alienated as a young person who wished so hard to belong. But as I write these words, where there once was anger, now lies emptiness. Looking back at everything that’s happened up to this very moment, I realize something: life does not end in high school. And for that, I will forever be grateful.