The Photographer - Trust ❤

As a young person, you feel the world is your oyster, love is so like the movies, and you'll have it all one day.

Be careful what you wish for...

Online chat rooms were all the rage when Britt was 17 years old.

For those younger, you dialed up your internet connection and waited for the connection sounds. Watch "You've Got Mail," and you'll know the sound and how this works in more detail. How exciting the internet-connected! Once online, you pop into this chat room to discuss your desired or favorite topics. It just so happened a singles group was available for this young whippersnapper to explore.

Lucky, Britt...this 25-year-old Photographer reached out to Britt, and he was mature, articulate, funny, experienced, and very smooth with his words.

They chatted for weeks before making plans to meet face-to-face. They talked, and he came to her side of town to take her out for months. It allowed her parents to get to know him on a personal level. They liked him! Britt was a senior in high school and totally could make the 50-minute drive to his place for dinner on this dinner date.

Britt remembered her confidence and energy were off the charts with excitement for such a "mature" date night at her 1st boyfriend's place.

Upon arriving, it was so nice and romantic. He met her at the car and walked her into his apartment. They prepared dinner together and enjoyed music, laughter, and amazing conversation.

As the night grew to an end, it was getting late, and there was a long drive ahead of Britt. She called her mom to let her know she'd stay the night and be home in the morning. Moms aren't naïve. Britt's mom knew she wasn't going to play scrabble and sleep on the sofa/davenport. Britt was wise and took "proper" precautions. Especially if she was going to make this leap into adulthood. Safety first, always, and forever. Girls, we are the keepers of ourselves and all we are. NO ONE gets that opportunity without our consent. Remember that.

It was a magical experience, and kindness was given. She may have sung "Cowboy Take Me Away" by the Dixie Chicks even. (insert facepalm) There was humor in almost everything they did, which eased any awkwardness or uncertainty. For that, Britt is grateful.

Staying past midnight like Cinderella - the magic faded.

The next day...? Trust was shattered, and the glass ceiling came crashing down.

Upon waking and prepping to get ready to grab breakfast...

Britt stepped out of the shower and was in her towel. There was a knock on the apartment door. It didn't just go away. The knocking became more intense. Britt was asked to "Shhh....be quiet. They'll go away.". True story! Had she not been in just a towel, Britt would have opened the door to the WOMAN calling for him to open up and introduce herself.

Britt was so angry, ashamed, insulted, mortified, and too strong for this to happen.

Britt gathered her wits, clothes, and belongings. She expressed she was not okay with this firmly and educated a 25-year-old on what a strong young woman truly is like.

He asked her to talk about it over breakfast to let him explain. Not much to explain...his ex isn't truly an ex. The cats in the apartment were indeed hers, and oh...I don't know...his also?! Didn't matter much to Britt. She was closing that part of her heart as she may be young, but she was nobody's fool.

This was a lesson of trust and what she's NOT settling for in life.

When things like this happen to Britt, she has two options....let it eat her for supper or....learn from it and rise above it.

As he followed Britt to the car that day, she knew she wasn't going to look back.

A very wise friend (The Musician) told her after this day, "Britt, you're too wonderful of a person to be someone's spare tire.". That...is a true friend and the wisest words. They've stuck with Britt always.

Fast forward two months later, and a large beautiful bouquet shows up. The first she's ever had delivered romantically. They were from The Photographer wishing her well and congratulations on her high school graduation. Kind, but...not ever going to take away that feeling of humiliation she felt that horrific morning.

In July of that same year, this cheater-cheater-ton called her up to ask her out on one more date and to talk. She said yes, only to truly get her planner and favorite pen she had left behind in the hustle of that terrible morning. It was an okay outing. Her heart wasn't in it. Her gut didn't budge on the foreshadowing that if they cheated once...they very well could do it again. No, thanks. Upon arriving back home, she climbed out of his Spider and told him thanks but no thanks.

She left and didn't regret that at all.

We teach others how we are to be treated.

Folks, we are more precious than rubies. Not to mention nobody's spare tire.