I am all of my lovers

Seven years ago M told me, I am still a baby, that I have so much to see, so many others to love, a long way to go before my heart is ready. He was so right. Of course, I didn't believe him, until I had to go through and experience it all.

B told me I am going to lose the battle if I don't open up, if I don't communicate, if I don't let go, and if don't let emotions flow in. "It's not always sarcasm. At some point, the sarcastic comments should stop, and real serious talk starts". I didn't believe him, and I resisted him and fought with him until the last day and even when it was over, I kept resisting him in my mind. Then one day, five years later, it hit me that he was also right. But I had to do it on my own time. I had to learn it on my own terms.

A mere stranger I went on a date with once told me "love is beautiful, even when it's over. Its effects are eternal." He was also right, and this stuck to me.

And many many more.

Without them, I would not be who I am today.