So I was driving to work this morning, thinking about the kick-ass weekend I had and realized it had been too long since I had been able to say that.

While I have been working to change my outward appearance (losing weight, dying my hair black), most of my changes have been on the inside, and I'm loving every minute of my new attitude.

I got rid of the bad, kept the good, and let those that had hurt me know they had hurt me. I didn't ask for apologies, but if they came, all was forgiven. If they didn't, then I was better of without them anyway.

Now I look forward to the bright future ahead of me. I know where I've been and I don't ever want to go back to that. I don't ever want to be the shell of the person I am now.

I wake up each morning excited for the new day; excited for the people I'll meet, the experiences I'll live, and I find myself asking how I could have gone without this for so long.

Because I was weak; I can admit that now, and that in itself is liberating. I let those around me scuplt me, dictate who I was, and I never tried to stop them. But now, now I make my own decisions; I sculpt my own future, and I'm so freakin' happy it's almost criminal.

So for those that stood beside me, who now stand behind me...thank you. For without you, I would not have had the courage, and I will eternally be grateful for all that you've given to me, and I will remember that in each breath I take.

I love all of you, and I hope you never forget that as well.

Always and Forever,

Panama