Cradle Robber

Dear Debt,

I remember thinking that we would never be together. You were a dangerous, older man, and I was a young, naive female. At 17, I heard rumors about you; you were wild, naughty, and had been around the block a few times.

I wanted to stay far away from you but I was having a pretty hard time on my own, and you were there to pick me up. You seduced me and made me feel powerful. I thought that being in your arms everything would be alright. You gave me a false sense of safety.

I knew you had been with many women before me — it bothered me at first, but I chose to ignore it. I thought I was so hot being with an older man like you. Now, after all the damage, I feel like an idiot.

I was your young pretty thing, your fool. I should’ve known better. I believed every word you said about how you could make my life better. My youth is spent on you, and I’m trying to get those years and that money back.

I am cleaning up the havoc you caused. I have had a hard time trusting myself and my decisions. Our chemistry was a recipe for bad decisions. I’ve heard through friends that you are still making the rounds, seducing young women, and after you’ve done your damage you are nowhere to be found.

It’s hard to think that our relationship was all built on lies. Perhaps it was only the lies we tell ourselves? I understand now that people tried to warn me about you. I wanted to see the best in you.

But I’ve learned my lesson.

Regretfully,

Melanie

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Melanie

Melanie Lockert is the founder of the blog and author of the book, Dear Debt. Through her blog, she chronicled her journey out of $81,000 in student loan debt. She is also the co-founder of the Lola Retreat, which helps bold women face their fears, own their dreams and figure out a plan to be in control of their finances. She is passionate about empowering women, helping others get out of debt, and focuses on the intersection of debt and mental health. Every September she organizes a Suicide Prevention Awareness Blog Tour, to help share resources for those struggling with debt and suicide. In addition to her love of personal finance, art and music, she is also a karaoke master and a cat mom to Miles and Thelonious.

Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

• Talking About Money and Mental Health - September 12, 2022
• Dear Debt, We’re Better Apart - June 27, 2022
• Announcing The Mental Health and Wealth Summit - May 4, 2021