This is a very powerful article. Reading about your experience reminded me of how wrong it is that there is still a double standard when it comes to men and women.

I felt a great deal of compassion while reading about your younger self. But I was also maddened that Patrick repaid your genuine affection by treating you so badly. I hope a lot of people read this essay. Women, yes, so they can learn from what you've shared. But also men, so they can see just how shallow and small this kind of behavior makes them.

Poetic justice would be for Patrick to fall madly in love with you after finding you on Instagram all these years later--only to be spurned by your stronger, wiser, more condident self. Thanks for writing this.