By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

IF we can learn one thing from vocal powerhouse Adele it is that breakups can have long-lasting effects. The Grammy award-winning singer spun the hurt from her failed relationships into musical gold, but most of us don’t have that kind of outlet.

However, just like Adele, we are often left with things we wish we could say to our former lovers and partners.

In the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, Tribune Woman gave its readers an opportunity to write a letter to their ex, expressing everything they needed to, whether it was an apology and or simple goodbye. Here are the three letters we chose to print:

Letter to my ex, making room for my next

Dear Ex,

When it came to you I did everything. You needed and wanted for nothing! Which you said out of your own mouth, but you still were unfaithful.

I sit and question myself, what is it that I did wrong? What could’ve been done better? Did you show signs of unhappiness? What did I miss? You’ve got me asking myself 99 questions.

Women, we’ve all been in that one relationship where that one man had us ‘tripped’, well this one was mine. No more questions! I came to the realisation that I was just too good for you.

Did I regret anything I did in this relationship? Nope! Everything that we go through in life is a lesson. While my wounds are still fresh, I’m going to use this time now to heal and smell the flowers a little bit more. Ex, you’ve taught me more than you know, and more than this letter could ever explain.

I’m not going to be a woman scorned; love is still a beautiful thing!

NewLeaf

– A wiser woman

Thank you

Dear Ex,

Our relationship was unhealthy and stifling. I was committed to someone I loved and trusted and would go to the ends of the Earth for. However, I was mistreated, disrespected and not loved properly. I was cheated on not once, not twice, but numerous times. If I knew what I knew today, after the first situation I would have not stayed. However, I didn’t know that I could forgive you and love you from a distance. Staying with you did not help me. Then the final heartbreak came and I finally left. I was hurt, in pain and distraught. I questioned God and myself. A heartbreak like the one I suffered takes some people years to overcome, but God in a very short space of time healed me completely. I am no longer hurt; the thought of the past does not make me cry anymore and Jesus has blessed be with a new partner who is a great match for me.

So thanks for the past; it built some muscle.

– Trish

To My Ex

Gregory,

Many times I try to hide it. Many times I try to fight it. I thought loving you would bring me so much joy in my life, but look at us now. We have a child that God has blessed us with and I was thinking we as parents would raise him together. But by the looks of things I guess we’ve grown apart, not in distance but in heart. I will always love as the father my child, even though I was warned repeatedly not to be with you. I shut everyone out and still decided to be with you. But I see now what everyone was talking about. You hurt me and betrayed me in the worst way possible after all I did for you and after all we’ve been through. And yet still I love you, but I see that we can’t be together anymore. I wish nothing but the best for you, and may God bless you and keep you.

– Anonymous