is it possible to be friends with someone when you still love them? This girl who I was head over heels for recently followed me on social media again and started chatting with me. Backstory: we had a complicated relationship for several months back in law school. We never officially became a couple because she was devoutly religious (I'm not), she was on the rebound from a failed engagement (I was looking to settle down) etc. Plain and simple, it wasn't going to work out for us long term but I always felt strong feelings towards her. Fast forward: we haven't talked in months and she has a serious boyfriend now. Is it even worth trying to establish a friendship? I've been healthily dating around and finding new interests; I'm worried I'll get sucked back into infatuation with her...
Not worth it from my experience, drama will follow. Her establishing contact again could mean she has issues with her current boyfriend and still got feelings for you, but you already stated it won't work long term. This will only get frustrating for both sides.
Doesn't work. Either get together, or separate completely until you are over each other. I had a girl closet love me as a friend for over a year, i've closet loved many girls, it's pointless to love someone who see's you as a friend. Here's a song to cry to Spoiler
Yeah I guess I should move on completely. It just sucks because I've had serious relationships in the past but she's the only one who made me nervous several times I was with her...and her contacting me again brought up the same feelings of "not wanting to screw it up". Can't tell if that's a clear sign of how one should feel around "the one" or if it's unhealthy because love should bring comfort/carefree attitude
Was in the exact same situation as you and she's the person that sparked by far the most weird feelings for me somehow. Ton of ups and downs, after a while she even broke up with her boyfriend because of me. But in the end it still ended in bad fashion, like every single one of my friends told me it would. Sometimes people just aren't made for each other, no matter how unique their bond is and how bad you want it to work. Your friends often can tell better than you do.
I disagree with people here so far. If she has done nothing to purposefully hurt you then there is no reason to not have a friendship with her. You continue to be a good person to her and a good person in general. At that point only positives should happen. If at some point she hurts you in some way then you can make the decision that people in this thread already suggested. Perhaps at some point something could happen down the road where you both are different people and at a different point in your lives.
I don't see anyone here suggesting she'll hurt him or is a bad person, it's just that he seems to know they're not made for each other and can't be in a healthy long term relationship. He can of course try to simply stay in touch, but it seems both have feelings for each other that will result in a conflict at one point, either because one will be rejected or because the relationship will turn bad. Staying simple friends with someone you have strong feelings for is extremely difficult.
Curious about the nervousness debate; derailing my own thread a bit...but do you think it's healthy to feel nervous around someone you desire? Or should that always pass relatively quickly if it's meant to be?
what religion btw? and prolly won't work out. but if you could post a pic of her, you might have a chance.
I think it it completely varies and doesn't have to be an issue. Saw many relationship comments where people said they are still nervous and have butterflies even after 40 years of marriage etc. It's certainly not the norm, but sometimes you can't change it because the person is that special to you.
Feeling a bit nervous around someone you are interested in is not a bad thing. Being completely comfortable with each other will come some time after you are in a relationship. This can be quick and it can take longer. I agree with everybody on the OP. If you still have feelings for her, but you know it cannot be you should not be friends. Either try to be a couple of break contact otherwise you are torturing yourself. If you know you cannot be a couple (since she is religious and you are not) and you have feelings stay away. But you know the answer to this question.
Standard, non-denom Christianity. I have no issues about dating a Christian girl (I live in the south so it's a given) but she was all about it. Her family owns a chapel and whatnot; my atheism was the primary deal-breaker. Oddly enough I've consistently been drawn to the more religious types. It's a curse