I'm so pleased that there is a month set aside for teen dating violence awareness. I realize now how fortunate I was to have been raised in a family that modeled respectful relationships. My first love was my boyfriend all throughout high school and he was a good guy, brought up with incredible values and taught to respect women. When I look back on my young love life, I am grateful that it was so solid and steady and that we took our time with everything. I know that everyone's path is different. There are plenty of strong, young women out there who are struggling to stand up for themselves. And if there is even one hint of ownership, jealous, rage or violence, I hope that they find a way to speak up for themselves and they are heard. Because violence is not love. Violence is not compassion. Violence is not respect. I would encourage young women to nurture their love, compassion and respect for themselves and partner only with those who live by these same values. This makes the world a better place, and you deserve it. Andrea Buchanan is an award-winning film-maker and the editor of the anthology Note to Self: 30 Women on Hardship, Humiliation, Heartbreak, and Overcoming It All, and most recently, of Live and Let Love: Notes from Extraordinary Women on the Layers, the Laughter, and the Litter of Love. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and the two amazing dogs they rescued, and she serves proudly on Joyful Heart's Board of Directors.