[~J.E.S.S.I.C.A~]

Reading a few topics on here about love and relationships got me thinking about falling in and out of love, and everything involved in the whole *giddy* process.

Especially as to whether we really do fall out of love with our ex? Which I suppose is ulitmately affected by whether we were really in love with them in the first place?

Personally, on a relationship basis I have had 3 'significant' relationships (partners) in my life - My first serious b/f when I was 18, my second partner for the majority of my time at uni and then DP who I met at 23 a year after I graduated from uni.

So thinking about my past and relationships I can honestly say I do love all 3 partners, and probably always will (in some strange way). It's not like I'm in love with all 3 at the same time, but I dont think I've ever really fallen out of love with them IYKWIM?

However, in saying that - while I do love both my ex's, I can quickly remember every reason we are no longer together, and all the bad things about the particular relationship which explains why we are no longer together.

So, before I ramble any longer - what do you think? Do you love your ex(s)? Have you fallen out of love? Would your relationship have worked out if it were a case of different place/different time?

[tinyweehen]

Do you love your ex(s)? Yes, in some indefinable way, but the part of me that loves them is like another person, from my past, a much younger me
Have you fallen out of love? Yes, but usually it means I was deluding myself and felt sorry for them or something, rather then really loving them
Would your relationship have worked out if it were a case of different place/different time? Possibly...my high school boyfriend and I got together at 15 and always said we should have met at 30...

[mamma2miracles]

I've had I think 5 men I could say I was in love with at one stage or another and I still love them all in some way. 2 are more relationships that failed in that first romantic love and are more "what if" things. My ex-husband I would never want to go back to, don't think I would have much in common with these days but I will always love him in a way.

My husband is my soul-mate, he matches me in more ways than I can imagine, we have a strong relationship, have similar life goals and values, I can't imagine being without him.

[--descentia--]

No I fall out of love with people.

[Jane*Doe]

You can fall into a pool or out of a window but not love Love is an action. A conscious act to choose to (or not to) love someone. No ex-es here for that very reason. Just DH and I for almost 20 yrs

[weekendsrule]

Physical and other violence makes the process of falling out of love very easy.

I've had a couple of 'lust' relationships - more in love with being in love than in love with them per se.

There's a theory that you can have friendships for the short term where you both need something from each other, and once that is accomplished, you part and go on your separate ways with no animosity etc, but no real sorrow either. I think the same thing happens with partners. Sometimes it was never meant to be for the long term, but that doesn't mean it was not meant to be at all.

Then you have friendships and loves that are meant to last the distance, and do.

[--descentia--]

I think love is different for everyone Jane*Doe.

For most people it is also strongly entwined with lust in the initial stages.

Love at first sight is just your pants speaking.

[Paragon~Of~Virtu...]

There is "loving" and there is "being in love with".

You can love your dog, but you're not "in love" with it iykwim?

I married a dog

[--descentia--]

Falling in lust is much more fun than falling in love! Sadly I fall in lust almost exclusively with bad boys that wouldn't make good long term partner material

Luckily when I met S he was just enough bad boy to do it for me and yet MUCH more responsible than me. I am not very responsible. At all. I need this balance.

[scoutster]

I still love my ex but am very glad I'm not his partner anymore. We were together for 13 years and I never felt less in love with him, even as I was walking out.

He's my only really past love, I had a boyfriend in high school but I wouldn't say I still love him. I'm still in contact with him though.