I often times find myself going back and revisiting a positive memory from time I spent with my exes. I remember something about how truly amazing it felt to be in love, followed by a colder echo from the emptiness that is now. Music can trigger me sometimes, but it's fairly random. I know when this happens to me, the thing I feel is that I miss that feeling and would like to have it back in some way. The next thing that happens is an overwhelming wave of pain and doubt smothers that feeling like an avalanche.

Does anyone out there have a similar issue when thinking about exes? I imagine this is fairly universal. However, my point here is to explain how we all cope with that. When that pain happens, I don't run, I stand my ground and feel it; the longing and all that goes with it. Do you do the same? When the pain passes the initial sting, I think about things in a way best described as fondness. I still treasure those memories, because love is beautiful, even if it hurts now. We carry pain and joy in equal measures.