Back in the day I never thought I’d be able to be friends with my ex and see him and not feel much of anything, but it’s happened. The definition of “friend” definitely qualifies this item, because he still has feelings for me and deep down I know he wants to get back together in some form. So is it really a pure friendship? To evoke When Harry Met Sally, does (straight) male-female friendship even exist? I don’t know; I don’t think I’ve ever had a friendship where one of us didn’t want something more (and it was usually not me).
But on a personal level, I know I’ve triumphed in a sense, by growing mature enough to be over him. This makes me think all the geriatric advice givers who constantly tell me that “time heals all wounds” might be on to something. [I love geriatrics by the way, and their advice has more weight than just about anyone’s.]