An open letter to my soon to be ex husband

I just want to start by saying thank you for our daughter.  She’s the most amazing and rewarding thing in my life, as I’m sure yours.

I also want to thank you for all of your support over the years and pushing me to go further and further in my career, and aiding in my very first salon. There are not enough thank you’s in the universe. You helped me grow so much as a business women and I learned so much from that experience. 

I appreciate you and the provider that you were for me all those years. You taught me so much about finances and responsibilities. 

Thank you for being such an amazing friend, having my back & always being the Chip to my Jo. 

Mostly I want to thank you for hurting me and forcing my to see my worth. We often learn what we want in relationship by not receiving them by someone important to us. You have showed me I deserve a love that lights my life on fire. 

Thank you for showing attention to another woman, it prompted me to show my self attention first. 

I’m so thankful for the relationship that you and our daughter have had & will continue to have in this life. Had I been given the father figure that you are to her I would have turned out a much less scorned woman than I am today. I am so grateful that all things considered, once I remove my emotions from the situation we co parent so beautifully. I know what’s to come won’t be easy, but I know the hardest days are behind us. I’m sorry that it’s taken me almost 2 years to come to this confident conclusion, but I appreciate your patience and feel so much clarity moving forward. I will never not love you, and there are and will be days I still cry myself to sleep over the loss of our love... so I will ask of you this.. Love our daughter with the capacity that you originally showed me.  Show our daughter the way a man should treat her, adore her, and respect her.  Humor our daughter the way you always humored me with your sarcasm.  Take long Sunday drives with Starbucks stops. Listen to our daughter in ways your were never able to listen to me. Open up to our daughter with the vulnerability you couldn’t with me. Love our daughter the way you weren’t capable of loving me. I’ve said this a million times so I’ll say it a million and one: if you had to choose between her and I, choose her until the day you die.