I’ve been friends with my ex for the past six years, known him for ten and dated him for two and a half years. While maths may not be my strong point, being friends with my ex is. But is it for the best?
Is it possible to be friends with an ex?
The majority of people I know have admitted to not maintaining the best relationships with their ex – and understandably so. You know how it is, you start off the relationship on a promising note, enjoy a momentous honeymoon period together, share each other’s secrets, finish off each other’s…sandwiches – and for some, moving in together is the next logical step.
But then the ‘break up’ rears its ugly head and before you know it, the closest relationship you ever had has now been reduced to a glare in the street (with the occasional dig posted on Facebook for your ex and all to see). Any chance of rekindling that spark or even building a friendship seems hopeless, but I’ll let you in onto a little secret – it can be done.
It took my ex and I roughly four years to get back onto speaking terms, and since then we’ve lived together, gone on nights together and even enjoyed a double date together. Normal? Not really. Fun? You better believe it.
I’m not entirely sure what I enjoy the most – having a strong connection with my ex, or seeing the looks on people’s faces when I tell them about our close friendship. After all, it’s not every day you get the opportunity to get your best friend back – because ultimately, that’s who they were to you. Your lover AND your best friend.
OK, so you might have lost the lover tag, but the majority of relationships I know are built on friendships. After all, that’s how most couples meet – and that’s how my ex and I first met. Whilst every situation is different, every couple wanted the same thing – and that was to be happy.
So while all good things come to an end, in the words of Semisonic,: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”. Despite my ex and I not working out, we’ve found that our friendship was even better than our relationship – so was it for the best? Of course. We’re best friends.
Can you be friends with your ex? Let us know what you think on twitter @Lovestruck
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