Dating : $900,000

In my twenties, I dated an actor and a guy who so desperately wanted to work in the entertainment industry. I helped him with photos. I was happy to do so because I loved the magic and art of photography itself. I was not focused on fame or money.

I was very enticed by the idea of somehow getting a portion of what my ex would make, but he moved on and out of my state and never looked back. I wanted everything that he had told me to be true, but still to this day, I question how someone so giving like myself would be given nothing… not even a cent of his earnings.

Looking back on all of the times that I was loyal and willing to help my ex, I feel disappointed that nothing came out of the situation. I was taken for granted. I was used. I was manipulated. It was all for nothing. These experiences made it difficult for me to trust and move forward in love.

Love is meant to be reciprocated from the very start. Some people use love as a guise to have people do things for them. This is manipulation. Someone’s values show through their words and actions.

To free myself from the torturous thoughts of not getting what I deserved, I had to create a new life and forget about the past. I had to look for signs that someone was going to treat me right from the very start. I had to look for signs of reciprocation.

A lot of times I would be so inspired by love that I would go to great lengths to show my love for someone. What I forgot was that true love is reciprocation to that same degree.

My ex’s recent net worth comes up as $900,000. Is he happy with his life now? I do not know. Does he have regrets? Only he can answer that. The person that he turned into was not the person that I met at the start of the relationship. The verbal abuse that was coming forth was not in alignment with any sort of love that I wanted in my life. I left for good, money or no money, and took action to create a new loving relationship with myself again so that I could attempt to start a new relationship.

I take credit for helping him get to his fortune. Whether I was paid or not, I helped someone. I don’t have any regrets for that. One of his relatives called me, “Annie Leibovitz.” She is well known for her unique celebrity photos. I would take love over money any day. Money changes. It can always be made somehow. When you find a loving connection that is amazing, it can be harder to find that again. This connection that I had with this actor was based on excitement, adventure, change and opportunity. It was great! When he evolved into someone that I did not recognize anymore and I did not feel comfortable around, I had to close the door on him forever.