Hmm. I have two THE exes. One is obvious, still causing me pain, but without whom I wouldn't have TK. I am slowly rebuilding my self-esteem. And I survived, which wasn't always certain.
The first THE ex was long ago, in another life. I was the dumper, not the dumpee, but only after I'd been through a major personal trajedy, needing him so badly while he gamed. He was totally not there for me, which *is* typical of a teenage boy, but also a mark of his personality then. If he were single I might wonder what if, but he's not and I really like his wife. I'd even love to be friends again, but he isn't open to it. Which is OK. *sigh*