“Love can come when you're already who you are, when you're filled with you. Not when you look to someone else to fill the empty space.”

“That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable.”

“Those questions you have? Whether he's the one, whether you feel about him the way you should, or whether the relationship is going okay? When you're not sure whether you're in love with someone or not, the answer is not.”

“Being needed was a handy trick. It could fill you up so full you never even noticed all the places that were empty.”

“I thought I might cry, the way you do when someone gives you some kindness when you most need it but when it seems the most surprising thing.”

“It wasn’t fair for a person to shove himself at you again and again when you wanted them gone. We should have the right to have someone leave when we want, to only allow those in who we want in. But the truth is, people can force their way into your life whenever they choose. If they want to remind you forevermore that they exist, they will. They can reappear in a card or a call or a “chance” meeting, they can remember your birthday or the day you met with some innocuous small note. No matter how little they matter in your new life, they can insist on being seen and recognized and remembered.”

“You've got to have someone who loves your body. Who doesn't define you, but sees you. Who loves what he sees. Who you don't have to struggle to be good enough for.”