“We believe this is the only person that is going to save us when they are the person that is ruining us.”

I realized that’s why I got targeted, because they look for people that are merciless to themselves. The strong woman that I am would never have allowed that to happen.

But it’s not about strength. It’s not about knowledge. It’s not about being intelligent or unintelligent.

This person strips everything from you. It does not happen overnight. It is a process. By the time they get you to your most vulnerable, you are alone, because they’ve made sure of that.

Even if you want help, even if you have people in your life, you don’t know how to articulate to these people that you need help. You’re worried about this person hurting your family, hurting people that you care about.

I made a choice to get out. It doesn’t matter when you make that choice. It doesn’t matter why you make that choice. Whatever gets you out of that situation. That’s all that matters.

There were times in the shelter I was a hot mess, but you all saw more in me. That’s what you need. You need people around you that see something great. It was me saying I was worthy of that.

I want my daughters to see that there is better in life, and they don’t have to go down my path. They can go a different way because they are worthy.

That’s why I call them my princesses because I want them to know that they are royalty. It doesn’t matter where they grow up or if we have a lot of money. Your heart and your mind are what matters.

This is only part of Tania’s story, in her own words, shared with permission.