My defining moment is when I heard "I am beautiful no matter what they say" and, instead of tearing up, I smiled... truly hearing the lyric for the first time and realizing that I don't need your approval to feel beautiful and free.

Daddy, I was only 10 years old when you called me fat. Now 10 years later I finally don't feel like that little girl "busting out of her dress", as you called me.

Words can't bring me down. So don't you bring me down today.

f/20

when we were saying goodbye in my driveway late at night in the beginning of January. We knew it would be awhile before we saw each other again, so we took our time. It didn't matter that it was freezing outside. You hugged me and we felt warm. I have never felt more love in my life than I did in that one moment.

My defining moment was watching my son lie in an incubator on a respirator, not even sure if he would live. It was at that moment that I realized that there are tons of meaningless things in life and I swore that if my baby could just live I would appreciate life for what it truly is. He is doing wonderful now and I know that he is all that matters. He defined me as his mommy.

My defining moment was when I told you what I'd been wanting to tell you for three years...that it is not all right to mess with guys heads, it is not all right to get with guys because you're bored, , it is not all right to lead guys you have no interest in, on, and that just because guys have hurt you does not mean that it is all right to hurt guys who did nothing wrong. Since that day, we have not been friends, and I have felt unbelievably free ever since, without being judged because I'm not a slut like you. I know you have your first boyfriend now and I know you've stopped "slutting around", and I hope that it is as a result of what I said.

My defining moment was when I got back-stabbed by a colleague whom I have trusted all along and have put in 100% into the "friendship". It was the moment when I got hurt the second time. (First time by another person at a different workplace)

I swear I will not befriend anyone from work ever again! I have woken up. Defining moment of relief.

My defining moment was when I realized that God wants me to be strong for Him just as much as I need Him to be strong for me.

F/31

my defining moment was when i told you i loved you, and you turned me down. But we are still able to talk like adults, and laugh together. You know that I will always love and care for you, and this is all that i can hope for.

f/23

My defining moment was when I was 17, pregnant, and left by my boyfriend. My parents showed me what unconditional love was. I only hope that my own children can love and respect me as much as I do my parents!

My defining moment was the day I decided that I was worth more than the situation I had put myself in. I decided that day, sitting in my car in front of Starbucks, that I am stronger than I ever imagined and that I won't accept that kind of abuse from the ones I love anymore. And that day was the day I was fortunate enough to be reborn. 8.29.08

My defining moment was realizing that as long as I let my bitterness and anger at you continue to fester, I may as well have stayed married to you. I let them go, I let you go, and now I am FREE OF YOU!!!! What a joyous day!

F/35

My defining moment was when I woke up to my mother's screams, only to run into her room and find out that my brother was dead on the floor downstairs.

My defining moment wasn't when I told my best friend that for two years- and during two different relationships- I was in love with her.

... It was when she told me she loved me, too.

F/17.

My defining moment was when I realized that even if I will never be loved again or have kids, the fact that we broke up is the best thing that ever happened to me. When you come to realize such thing, you can no longer be afraid.

My defining moment hasn't come yet. But it will and I'm waiting everyday.

f/15

When I actually sent you that letter that contained everything I had left to say to you. I sent it and got it all off my chest instead of keeping it in to dwell on later.

I think you see now that I really mean it when I say that your leaving me was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I hate to admit this, but before our break up, I might not have been strong enough to do it :D

I AM ME AGAIN!!!

After waking up from an attempted suicidal overdose on heroin. I was living on the street, starving and dirty. I woke up the day after Thanksgiving in a dirty gas station bathroom with a needle still in my arm and a note next to me that read "don't call this an overdose, I know what I'm doing."

I checked myself into rehab that day, and have now been sober 7 months.

My defining moment was when I felt my stomach cramp from the over abundance of sleeping pills I'd just taken, and decided to throw up instead of going to sleep.

One of my defining moments was when I was a school kid and wrote unicorns & butterflies cliche poetry, but my grandma took me to a literary club and the teacher there told me i had talent. I have improved immensely and writing is a big part of my life - because she believed in my skills when she had practically no reason to.

on my last birthday no one in my family really called me or anything...the only people who got me anything or told me happy birthday was my boyfriend and his family and my bestfriend...it was at that point i knew who my real family was...that all i need was my boyfriend and his family and my bestfriend and i would be happy...from that moment on i was happy....

My defining moment was April 18, 2002 at 7:15pm. Looking into the beautiful faces of my twin sons on the day of their birth. Nothing else can ever compare to that moment, to the greatest thing I'll ever do in my life. They are better now than I'll ever be and I know they took the best part of my and will leave their mark on the world.

Someday I hope they can see that they defined me in every way.

My defining moment was when I realized I was strong enough and determined enough to OVERCOME. ANYTHING.

That no matter what happens in life: It goes on.

And I decided no matter what, I will CHOOSE to be HAPPY.

My defining moment is when I got in a fight with my boyfriend, and I sent a text to a girl saying -
"i thought he'd love, protect, and save me."
this girl responds,
"iiiiiiiii am here to do that until wefind someone that both you & i think is responsible enough to take over for me."

i realized that i have a best friend in thiss crazy life, someone to protect me, &it gave me a new happiness, a new feeling of hope. i realized i don't need the love of my boyfriend, just the love of my bestfriend. she is all i will ever need :)

My defining moment in life is the first day of my Psychology class this school year. That day I realized exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life.

My defining moment was when I heard the words "Don't be with someone you can live with, be with someone you cant live without" and realized that the person I cant live without is my son... and all of a sudden the choice I had to make was so clear and so right.

My defining moments have been when I decided to forgive the people who have hurt me the most, and today. Today I decided that God comes before my boyfriend, family, and friends. I hope it sticks.

My defining moment was when I accepted that I am alive for something more than just the "career, the family, the retirement, and the wait to die."

My defining moment was moments ago, when I realized that no matter what awful thing happens in my life, I will be okay.

We sat across from each other on your hammock, our knees hardly touching. I told you my deepest fears. You held my hands in yours. You told me you loved me... but like brother/sister. You broke my heart and then fixed it in just one sentence. You held me as I cried and made promises you have failed to keep but from then on, whenever I hear your name, a smile graces my face.

When I slow danced with her at our senior prom--and SHE asked ME. :)

My defining moment, for my last chapter at least, was the day I left your house listening to The Beatles "don't pass me by"

"you never know it hurt me so ill hate to see you go don't pass me by don't make me cry"

That's when I finally realized that staying with anybody who continually treats me poorly was simply me being harmful towards myself and I decided that it was time to make this a better life and break the cycle of abuse. It's almost hard to believe it's already been years.

I'm loving my life and myself more than ever!

My defining moment was when I was 17 and took the "Step of Faith" to accept Jesus. I am 56 now and through the years of marriage, children, falling away and coming back, I still look on that moment and savor it the way a lover savors the moment they meant their dream mate. HE has been with me every step of the way and truly blessed me life.

my defining moment was when you died. You made us stick together and grow closer than we ever could have without you. We all miss you so much, but we also know you're in a better place. I hope you know you've change all of our lives. I wish you could see us now. You showed us how to live our lives. You changed me.

My defining moment is when i realized that when people start to fade or not try for your friendship anymore then you should just let go and cherish what they gave you.

My defining moment was the first time I kissed the boy I have loved for eleven years.

My defining moment was when I finally let go.

My defining moment was when I lost the guy I gave everything to..because despite realizing that while I'd been with him I had lost myself, I finally got the chance to find the real me.

My defining moment is when I realized that I was so busy surviving my life I had no soul to live it...now I have soul and I am ready to live life to the fullest and do everything for me!

My defining moment was sending my husband to war a second time...and waiting for him to come home. Love can overcome everything.

When my boyfriend (well, we weren't dating just yet) kissed me for the first time. He was the second guy to kiss me, and I was so relieved to be able to kiss someone else besides my lying, cheating ex that I swooned over for over a year after he dumped me. My boyfriend and I began dating a few days later, and been together ever since :-) we've been dating a year and five months.

My defining moment was when I decided to take this quote literally..."Some of us think that holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go."...Today I'm letting go. I'm hoping this will change things.

When I began feeling alive again after the longest winter of my life.

My defining moment is when I learned to stand strong, even though I expect to be alone for the rest of my life.

My defining moment is when I finally let go of the summer that messed everything up and looked to the winter that put everything back together.

My defining moment was in reality, two moments. They both occurred on the same day.
My defining moments were this summer when I heard Relient K sing "Sadie Hawkins Dance" live and later that day when I saw Tom Delonge live in Angels and Airwaves.

Music is a higher power to me and has the ability to change the world, or my world at least.

When I said goodbye to the life I led and the people in it, for the last time.

My defining moment was the day my mother made me go through with the abortion.

The day I called off my wedding and left the extremely abusive relationship was in. I realized with this process I could now inspire other women to rise above and be better than they are, be better than their situation, be the best they can be. From all that I experienced in the relationship, leaving, and healing my wounds...I learned that I can inspire and empower and make a difference by just being myself and loving me first. People see that and they want it...I can now tell them and share with them my journey....Female - 24

When I realized, as my boyfriend was telling me how worthless I was, that I really didn't need anyone in my life except my own wit and will.

-Female 36

When I was dancing with that girl at her party after Homecoming. She hasn't left my mind since.

My defining moment was when my father died. The world stopped- or it should have.

My life is eternally changed because of the absense of my father.