Why did I receive a birthday text from ex-girlfriend after no contact?

[jt14621]

So basically me and my ex girlfriend broke up about 7 weeks ago and it ended badly the typical name calling and what not. After things ended I decided that I was not going to contact her and try to move on with my life. Well about a week ago it was my birthday and I received a text from my ex just wishing me a happy birthday and hope I had fun on a trip that me and my friends were taken for my birthday. She knew about the trip before we broke up. Anyways I really don't get it because I can still feel the pain of her breaking up with me and the nasty things she said. I simple replied "Thank you" to the text and forgot about it. I didn't expect a response which I didn't get but I can't help but wonder why I got a text after all the drama of the break up. Just want some perspective on this. thanks

[Anonymous]

Things may have ended badly, but that doesn't mean they have to stay bad. Maybe some things were just said out of anger. Just because you two broke up doesn't mean she doesn't still care about you as a friend, even if she hasn't contacted you (she may have been giving you space since you also weren't contacting her).

Point is, exes can be friends, sometimes even best friends. After all, you've likely already shared more of yourselves with one another than regular friends do, so you had a stronger bond. I know the break up between me and my girlfriend didn't stop us from being each others' best friend. We still talk to each other about everything. The only difference really is that there's nothing romantic between us anymore. No harm in trying to restrengthen your friendship. The way I usually see it is that it's better to have someone you really love(d) in your life, even if it's not quite in the way you had imagined, than not have them in it at all.

[madhatters4]

just being nice. you two were in a relationship so it is the kind, courteous thing to do...besides she does on some level care about you (not saying care in the sense that she wants to get back togehter).

I think a lot of times in break ups people say a lot of harsh stuff because emotions are running high...so I don't think those harsh things she said are indicative of the fact that she absolutely hates you or anything.

[bettybets]

Probably since she knew about the trip you were taking to celebrate it she thought it was okay to send you a happy birthday text. Plus, the break up is still fresh so I think it's fairly normal to still wish an ex happy birthday--it's only been 7 weeks. But she could have gotten over the nastiness in that amount of time. I think if she were to do it next year after nc it'd be odd.

[BrunetteNYC]

To me it indicates that she was thinking of you and also possibly, maybe she doesn't like things between bad between the two of you... maybe she wants to mend the friendship and see where it goes?