thank you

I suppose Thanksgiving was over three minutes ago, but I need to say thank you still.

To the two people that changed my life (and who hopefully know who they are):

Once upon a time I hated myself.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that love didn't exist, and people only hurt each other.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that life was inherently horrible, and that suffering was perpetual.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I didn't trust anyone because I was so afraid of getting hurt.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that I didn't deserve to be loved.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I was constantly afraid, of everything.
Thank you.

Once upon a time nobody ever took care of me the way they should have.
Thank you.

Once upon a time everyone I had ever loved had left me.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I didn't think anyone would ever understand me, or try to.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that I would be alone forever.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I spent all my time floating a few feet above my body, and I didn't feel anything, not happy or sad or pain or anything.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought it was better to be numb and never feel because the pain wasn't worth it.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that I was born to be hurt.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that I should just die because nobody cared about me and all I ever did was hurt and destroy people.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I thought that everything everyone did to me was my fault.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I felt like there was no hope for me.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I didn't let people touch me.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I used to cry myself to sleep every single night.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I used to jump off the roof because I thought that people might notice me if I had a broken arm and ask me how I was doing.
Thank you.

Once upon a time I believed there were no good people in the world.
Thank you.

And then I met you.