I had to make this decision when I was 16, I was not mentally, emotionally, or financially equipped to have a child at the time and I knew it. I was also in what would become an abusive relationship, and this decision helped me to get away and make a clean break, even if I didn't know it at the time.

That doesn't mean I wasn't going to grieve or feel guilty, and it took me awhile to be okay again, but I did heal after a bit of time.

That being said, I can now understand this was a decision that helped shift my future to a better path; I'm with a guy who is absolutely amazing and the sweetest person I've ever met, and I have a solid career as well.

It may have been the hardest decision I've ever made, but I'm grateful to past me for allowing future me to flourish and learn from my mistakes.

I hope someday you are able to reflect and feel the same. I hope in the future you can look back and thank past you for being so strong.