10 Years Too Late

Lyrics: (Verse 1) We were kids when we fell into forever, Thirteen with a heart that didn't know better. Grew up believing you'd always be mine, Then twenty-one came and we crossed that line. We built a life, we made a son, I thought forever had already begun. Then you looked at me and said, “I don't love you,” And I spent ten years learning how to live without you. You left me with your silence, You left me with the blame, I learned how to answer When somebody said your name. I went to therapy, I fought for self control, But loving you was something My heart didn't know how to let go. (Pre-Chorus) And I hated you for leaving, Hated me for wanting you, Hated every little piece of him That looked and acted just like you. I thought I'd finally buried Everything we used to be— Then my phone lit up with your name And ten years slipped away from me. (Chorus) You came back ten years too late, With an apology I never thought I'd hear. Saying all the things I prayed you'd say When I was drowning in those tears. You broke my heart, then walked away, Told me you didn't love me anymore. Now you're standing at my door saying Maybe we could find what we lost before. And God, I want to believe you, But I don't know what to believe. You're asking for another chance From the girl you left on her knees. Ten years too late, But maybe not too late to change. I'm scared to hope, I'm scared to hurt, I'm scared that love still knows your name. (Verse 2) You say you're sorry, and somehow it sounds different, Not like an excuse, not like you're trying to spin it. You're listening now when I tell you my fears, Respecting every boundary you ignored for years. And that's the part that scares me the most— You're becoming the man I needed When I needed you close. I spent so long convincing myself That you never cared, Now you're showing up gently And I'm caught unprepared. Because I can forgive you But I still remember the pain. I can open a door Without handing you my heart again. I can let you be his father, Like I promised I'd always do, Without knowing what tomorrow Is going to make of me and you. (Pre-Chorus) Your brother says I don't have to worry, Says there's nothing hiding underneath. And part of me believes him, But part of me still can't breathe. Because trust isn't a light switch, It doesn't turn on because you came home. It's ten years of learning How to stand here on my own. (Chorus) You came back ten years too late, With an apology I never thought I'd hear. Saying all the things I prayed you'd say When I was drowning in those tears. You broke my heart, then walked away, Told me you didn't love me anymore. Now you're standing at my door saying Maybe we could find what we lost before. And God, I want to believe you, But I don't know what to believe. You're asking for another chance From the girl you left on her knees. Ten years too late, But maybe not too late to change. I'm scared to hope, I'm scared to hurt, I'm scared that love still knows your name. (Bridge) Maybe this isn't about going backward, Maybe it's about who we are today. Maybe some people need ten years To finally understand Exactly what they threw away. (Breakdown) I'm angry. I'm grieving. I'm confused. I'm terrified. I don't know if this is redemption Or another lesson dressed in white. I don't know if I should run Or let you back into my life. (Final Chorus) You came back ten years too late, But maybe time isn't what decides. Maybe what matters is what you do With the years that are still alive. You broke my heart, And I survived it. You left me lost, And I found my way. So if you really mean you're sorry, Don't just say it— Stay. And I'll let you be his father, Because that promise never changed. I won't be the reason He grows up wondering your name. And maybe someday I'll forgive you, Maybe someday I'll trust you too. Maybe there's a future I never thought I'd have with you. But don't mistake my hope For forgetting what you did. I'm not the girl you left behind— I'm the woman who lived through it.