I spent 11 years in a relationship staying quiet to keep the peace.

Careful with my words. Careful with my needs.

At some point careful becomes a cage.

And it did. I stayed far too long, thinking it would get better. 

It took me a trip to see my family, alone, to figure it out.

I was living two lives. Two personalities. 

I had to choose one. 

You know what I chose.