To preface this I have known my best friend since I was 4, we were neighbors until I was in 7th grade. Our parents banned us from seeing each other but we’ve reconnected over the past few years. For this story we’re going to call her Jill and her boyfriend Spencer. So Jill started dating Spencer about 6 years ago, when she was in 8th or 9th grade. They met online, he lived in Georgia and we live in Ohio. About 3 years ago he moved her for her. I didn’t meet him until I saw her for the first time after almost 6 years and I didn’t really like him to begin. But she’s my best friend and she was happy so I just supported her. I knew he didn’t get along with her parents well, he lived with them and they got into arguments constantly. At this point she still lived 3 hrs away from me so I never knew how he treated her, she didn’t bring their relationship problems up very much. Recently, they decided to move to a city about 15 minutes from me, when I tell you I was excited I was fucking excited guys. The day after they signed their lease he told her he had been cheating on her and didn’t really have feelings for her anymore. Of course she was heart broken and she wanted to try and work it out. The next day I went over to her place and hung out, we just talked and caught up on everything we’ve missed over the years. I didn’t leave her place until 2:30am! The next day (today) he got physical with her, I was beyond pissed and so was her family. He hit her and pushed her into a door frame, and almost pushed her down the stairs. I didn’t know until today but he had gotten physical before. She kicked him out and is going to the police tomorrow. She finally stood up for herself and I am so proud. She said that after listening to me talk about how my boyfriend and I are she realized how shit he treated her. She’s filing a restraining order and taking his name off the lease.

And just as we dreamed back when we were 4, we’ll be roommates. She’s finally learning her worth, I’m so so proud of her. I wanted to share this story as a sign for everyone else in abusive relationships. It’s okay to leave. You are not a failure for not making your relationship work. And you deserve so much more.