I'm from a small town in the midwest, had a boyfriend for just under two years, and I was a sophomore in college. My boyfriend was from Australia, so my winter breaks were spend down under. It was during my winter break of sophomore year that he popped the question on New Years Day. I was absolutely stunned. I started crying profusely and he eventually wondered is this a good thing, or a bad thing? I was in utter shock, and I couldn't answer. Well, I guess that WAS my answer. Needless to say, I was 19, in love, though scared out of my mind that if I said no, he'd ever ask again. So, I said Yes. I couldn't tell anyone for a week afterwards, especially my parents. I felt like they would be disappointed in me somehow. While I hoped we would make it, I often think of that time as not happy or exciting, but rather as the beginning of the end of our relationship. I realized how young I was, how much I still had in front of me, and with one word, I was committing to a life I wasn't confident in. With no plans in the process, we made it another 9 months. During this time, I decided to study abroad. Most would think the obvious choice would have been to study in Australia. I chose England. The thought of making another decision for the betterment of his comfort over my own just couldn't happen anymore. I wanted to be free, and explore, and find out who I really was. I broke off the engagement in September and moved to London in January, just a few short months later. I never imagined my life without him. We had plans, and I loved the idea of those plans, just not so soon. Little did I know that breaking my own heart along with someone else's would lead me to the single best decision I have ever made for myself still to this day... 10 years later. What I love about my story is though it was not planned or even a "happy" moment, this event changed the course of my life and who I am today. I am forever grateful, for him, for my own strength, and for my gut knowing which was more important.
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