How does it feel to see your ex years later?

Question

I was just scrolling my newsfeed and I came across an article about some China USA relationship and got interested and opened it to read.

I figured, looked at photos and my heart started beating faster, as I saw the face I used to love,

seems like this article was about my ex, because he seems to have done something pretty outstanding at his field and the article was about his contribution.

There were some of his photos taken during his presentation and it felt weird to see them, because the man that I knew was different from the man I saw on his photos. And yet he was strangely familiar.

When I knew him, he was struggling in life, on the cusp of quitting many times, but he was ambitious and while he constantly needed support and reassurance, he was still hungry about success , he was young and rebellious

and now I looked at his photos in the article and he looks like someone who is content with his life, he’s still very handsome but he seems to have lost the sparkles that he had in his eyes when he was by my side and it felt a little bit weird, I don’t know how to feel about it because I’m happy he’s doing Great but it also caused me a little bit of sadness to see him change and to realize that the person that I love has changed a lot and the person that I loved, the eyes that I loved to look at - do not exist anymore。

He has turned into a wonderful and a successful man, but I don’t know that man.

Danael31 · Accepted Answer

During the lockdown, my mother had a surgery and couldn't walk. On my side, I was going through a lot (and that's still the case) and I gained a lot of weight. I had to take my mother to a supermarket, and when we went to the cashier, it was my ex from years ago. She was violent, so I broke up, and she is one of the last people I want to see on this planet. But there she was. She didn't recognize us, I told my mother who she was, and I asked her to not tell my name as I didn't want to be recognized because I felt she would make fun of me seeing me with the weight I took, and I just didn't want to have any interaction with her anyway. My mother told my name, I felt very bad, but I still acted like I didn't recognized my ex and we just went away.

Bad experience. I just want to be left alone. I don't want to get hurt anymore. I feel bad enough in my life, please don't send me back my ex who got the power to hurt me even more.

Finchie40 · Accepted Answer

Some exes I am happy I am no longer with them and some exes I am happy for them , it just brings back memories for the most part , but an ex is an ex for a reason , I exempt them from my life and move on , they are just my past and I keep them there , I tried getting back with an ex one time before and that was my answer to not do it again , If someone can leave your side they aren’t worth anymore of your time is how I see things , if they truly loved you and valued you they wouldn’t be your ex period

Lizagirl123 · Accepted Answer

Honestly feels weird as if like please I hope you don’t see me but if I did end up seeing it would be a little awkward but at the same time my feelings are gone and his just like a ex friend I don’t ever wish to go back like one start working where I am at and keeps saying hi to people I he and I know I don’t want him back tho :/

Bethany22 · Accepted Answer

Hopefully that will never happen. Or if it does, let it be in a picture from a distance, and not him seeing me and thinking that he sure dodged a bullet

AviatorTom · Answer

I saw my ex-wife at a recent family gathering; we have 3 adult children. We divorced amicably and we still get along. She even gave me a hug.

eternal_heck · Answer

I actually talk to one of my exes on the phone almost daily. We didn’t end things on the best note, but we were together for a long time and can’t imagine not being in each other’s life in some form - even if it’s just as good friends.

Sevenpointfive · Answer

all of my exes made horrible decisions after me. it makes me sad and angry that they didn't try harder. instead they settled for someone safe and tbh unattractive in my opinion. but if they think they are happy then so be it.

VKN724 · Answer

Depends on where you're at. Most of the time I would say success is the best revenge and being in good shape and having some money helps end the interaction with a "I'm the better person." However, we all know feelings run deeper than that, and it's not always just a beauty contest. Sometimes you will see your ex in all their ugliness and you having everything you wanted and you'll still feel like you missed them. Humans are complicated creatures.

love_conquers_lust · Answer

I don’t know what my ex’es are doing. I parted ways with one girl I dated quoted as saying “I’m attracted to you, you’ll never hear from me again.” I didn’t feel the same attraction she felt for me.

Simslover92 · Answer

I don't have an ex but seeing the first guy I fell for and lost my virginity to now is weird. He looks weird now. He doesn't look as good as he did back then.

smashleyy · Answer

instant flood of anxiety. Was just someone’s snap story he popped up on but I hope I never run into him in person

AmeerX · Answer

My ex have been with pretty successful men and live luxury lifestyles which I honestly don't like or care to do. So, I don't really feel anything for them. I pray they be happy about their lives. I will find someone suitable 😌

Ms_Facesitter · Answer

I feel nothing. Not that I hate him. It's just that he's like a stranger to me now whose face I just happen to remember.

RingOfFire · Answer

I wish I could see my ex because she has a terminal illness and I would really love to show her I still care. But she has a jealous husband so I don't want to interfere.

WhitneySnow · Answer

That’s amazing. And yeah, people do grow. I bet you’ve grown too.

Guido · Answer

I met up with an ex about 20 years later. It was a short visit and all she had to do was keep talking and it reminded me I standby why we are not together. She talked non stop about herself and showed no interest I finding out that I had been doing all thise years.

My wife knew I was going to meet up with her and when I told her how the meeting went, she laughed and said see you are better off. The only thing the ex had going was the sex we had was really hot but zero personality.

exitseven · Answer

I heard one of my exes being interviewed on the radio one day. I was able to look her up on the internet. She is over 30 years older but still was pretty. I was sort of surprised that she still lives around here.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Good but, kinda ordinary. Sort of like you're seeing a long lost friend for the first time in a long time which, is what you ARE doing. On the other hand, it's just like, you never stopped talking in the first place.

soe11 · Answer

In my never opened my door to love again nor seeing again.

Andres77 · Answer

Nothing. That part of my heart and brain are seared and dead.

SunnyRS · Answer

I feel weird.  Like why did I fall for this person😅😅 We don't match, stupid young me.

OfMiceandMen · Answer

I only hope they found what they are looking for and don't feel any ill will towards them.

DiegoO · Answer

In my case it would be "to read" my ex. If I ever see her in person I am not sure if I would recognize her. Worst, assuming that by that time I am in a relationship, because the only pics I have of her would be deleted.

justabuddy · Answer

I see her every couple of weeks. So I'm kind of over it at this point.

How does it feel to see your ex years later?

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