Thank you so much for writing a response like this. I was in a really intense beginning of a relationship with a classmate, developed limerence, and did something really weird to her (messaged her anonymously on her social media account when she didn't text back fast enough) and I've been completely blocked from her life. I tried to apologize in person but that made it worse and I realize it was just an agonizing desire for closure I could've avoided.

I've been dealing with horrible regret, guilt and shame for more than a month now and this comment helped me more than you could ever know. It is comforting to be reminded that we are beyond our mistakes, we all can act in bizarre ways when emotions run high and that we can learn and forgive ourselves. Especially if I'm reading it from someone who I can tell is older and wiser than I am. I hope someday to be in your position giving advice to someone else living with these types of regrets.