Me [29F] with my SO [29M] together 8yrs

I was with a person like this before. We met when I was 14 and he was 8 years older than me. We started officially dating when I was 16, at first I was pretty much in love, the first years were great but it didn't last.

I thought he was the one, I was used to him. It was comfortable. Despite all the crap, I found myself finding excuses to stay. I was unhappy and I honestly think I wasted the good years of my youth on him.

I finally had the courage to break it up, I was 22 then. I started dating another guy right away, I couldn't help myself. That lasted 2 years. At this point I was 24.

Thankfully, my parents never left my side, they didn't force to break up but they were always there for me. I finished my college degree and got a job as a ESL teacher. With my job I started meeting new people, new friends and making good money.

The opportunity of moving abroad to work on my English skill came to me the same year. I decided to quit my job, got my plane tickets and left everything behind.

I needed a fresh start, these two guys I dated wasted good years of my life so I owed it to myself to get out of my tiny small city and see the world.

Dating the previous two assholes taught me a lot about relationships. I actually learned from them and got smarter. I knew what I wanted and I was decided no to take crap from people anymore.

Two months after I moved to the USA, I met J. I was 25 then. We got engaged after 3 months and married within the first 10 months of knowing each other. He's the best. My life took a turn and I still can't believe my luck. We have two babies now and we have a great life.

What I'm saying is the unknown is scary. You're probably thinking if you leave you'll never find someone else you'll love you, or at least that's what kept me in crappy relationships before. More than love it was comfort.

This is so wrong. It's in your hands to be happy, life is quite short and you're wasting your time here. Get out and live!

Dating is so much fun and now that you have the ex pierce of a crappy relationship, you clearly know what you want and what you don't want so take advantage of the experience you have.

Don't regret meeting this man. You've learnt from him, good or bad but you learned. It's time for you to live. You're scared, and it's okay, but the reward for being brave can be huge. Don't be afraid to explore.

The only thing I don't have right now is friends. When I left my home, I really left everything. You remind me of me a lot, I wish I could be your friend we would have a lot to talk about. If you're ever in the Boston area let me know.

/r/relationships Thread