mixedmedia

Just for the record: I've remained friends with my first ex-husband. (that always sounds so bad when I say it... 'my first ex-husband', lol...there've been two, just two ) But we've managed to stay good friends over the years. In fact, he's the one who cut my hair last week!

But, as to the OP. I have to agree with those advocating a clean break. "Letting her down easy" is a misnomer. It doesn't actually make things easier...just leaves you in limbo with your up and down emotions, doubts, etc.

It's better to KNOW.

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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus
PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce