Magen, I know as I write this, that you know what I am gonna say, but I will say it anyway. Sweetie, this guy , you are teaching him that it is ok to kick you. Think about that.
If you and I were talking about a sweet little puppy he had, and you guys were out with the puppy and he kept kicking it, well that would be animal abuse. How could you "love" someone who could be cruel to animals, esp a little puppy that trusted him to take care of it, and he was being cruel.
Now take out the puppy, and put in yourself. Let's look at that. What is this guy thinking when he kicks your leg, hard enough to hurt? Is he thinking, "this is my girlfriend, whom I like a lot, or maybe love? She loves me? I am a guy. I am strong. I feel like kicking her on her leg. That will hurt her. That's ok. She wont say anything."
Now what does that kind of "love" look like now? Magen, just like we all said with our other situation above this: no one has the right to make you feel unsafe, disrespected, and now physical hurt? How could that be ok? And beleieve me, this kind of things, if it is "let go", will only escalate. Then it goes to a punch. Like a kind of "ha ha" thing, joking around. Then it gets harder, and before you know it, there is a slap, a punch somewhere else besides the leg, etc.
This is the path to physical abuse, and please consider what you are allowing. This is your precious body, which should be honored and respected, never touched or hit, kicked, punched or slapped, by another human being, ESPECIALLY when that person is supposed to love you and care about you.
I cant say strongly enough, to please speak to someone in your life, an adult who can guide you in this. Your boyfriend is right at the edge of abusing you, if it started out joking around, you have now expressed it hurts. Pain. Pain equals abuse. And if it has become a habit with him, and you have never said anything, well then now is the time.
I know you love Em. Believe it or not, I do too. I admire him a lot. He has admitted he needed to get some help with his anger. I have heard he is a good dad. How do you think he would react to someone treating his Hailey like that? Not very well, I imagine! So I know you are tough, Magen. Your writing shows me that. You are amazing and filled with life and talent and potential. Use your own personal strength, to stand up for yourself. Let Em's work empower you. Not the angry part, the proud part.
This young man does not have the right to touch you with disrespect. Tell him that. And if he doesnt stop, then cut him out of your life. Set healthy boundaries. Do not allow abuse. It will only get worse and will kill your Spirit. Not your Spirit! You desesrve so much better! We all do!
Many hugs, and you can do this! Let us know what happens!
love, sky xoxox
