Abby Comey, a finalist in Modern Love’s college essay contest, was near death from anorexia when she met Sarah. It took Sarah’s steady love, professional help, Ms. Comey’s efforts and her role as Sir Lancelot in the play “Camelot” to restore her health.

Yet, as Ms. Comey explains in her essay, “Not Every Breakup is About Being Broken,” that performance marked not only the beginning of her recovery from anorexia, but the end of her relationship with Sarah.