Does it really take that long for a man to recover from a declined marriage proposal?

[Anonymous]

My brother was only 22 years old when he delivered his marriage proposal to his then girlfriend. They were dating for 5 years; both met as 17 year-olds. She said no, that she wasn't feeling the same, didn't see it like that and more excuses. He had a very hurtful expression (on the verge of tears) I've never seen before. The relationship ended soon and he was different since then. He hasn't said ''I love you'' to another woman since and would have casual dates, nothing serious; all short-lived.

Present-day: He's now 26 years old and finally met someone he finds unique and likes a lot. He seems happy again. He's slowly letting his guard down but not too fast.

So basically it took him 4 years to recover from that. Apparently this left a scar on him. Does it really take a man that long to recover from a declined marriage proposal? Is it that bad?

[NamerOfStars]

Which man? Your brother isn't "men", he's a single specific person with his own desires, feelings, and opinions. And a person he's been with for almost a quarter of his life rejecting him like that probably hurts like hell- I can easily see it taking a long, long time to emotionally recover.

Some men, and probably most men in some cases, won't be hit that hard, or hard at all, but it's not wise to make a blanket statement about something so important over such a large group of people.

[Anonymous]

Considering a man asking to spend the rest of his life with a woman is a huge deal, yeah it can take a lot of time to get over a heartless bitch like that.

[Asker]

Yes that girl wasn't the right one. I hope the new girl that's making him happy makes him believe in love again. I have hopes that can bounce back and end with the right girl.. the one that will say yes.

[Opinion Owner]

You and me both..

[Anonymous]

um sorry but is he supposed to bounce back fast from that? i mean, a proposal is a very big deal in someones life... maybe you should just let him move at his own pace. it's his life, not yours.

[Asker]

I hope things work out with the new girl he hangs out with and that he continues being happy. It would be great if he were to believe in love again. That girl that said no wasn't the right one. The right one would've said yes.

[jahaims]

If my wife said no I'd probably been deviated for the rest of my life.

[Asker]

You got the right woman while my brother was with the wrong one. He just made that girl his girlfriend. From what I'm seeing, I have hopes he'll bounce back and believe in love again. The right woman will say yes to him.

[Anonymous]

I Envy people who got to date in their teenage years and early 20s

[Anonymous]

Were you unaware that men are human?

[Asker]

I didn't think it would affect him like that. At the time I tried explaining to him that there are many fishes in the sea and that he'll find a girl that will say yes to him.

[In_Trance]

depends on the guy

[Asker]

True. He didn't take it well at all. That experience completely changed him.