Ex Encounters

As I packed up my dorm room, I reflected on my first year of college. Having a boyfriend during fall semester had hindered me from taking risks and meeting new people. However, with school coming to an end, I was looking forward to spending the summer working and starting a possible summer romance.

Unfortunately, before too long, I was too busy with summer classes and work to even think about boys, dating or romance. Finding strength in my independence helped me move forward with my life, though. It gave me a positive perspective on myself and my future. Although I was hurt from past failed relationships, I was able to meet new people, go on a few casual dates and land a job without the commitment.

Mid-summer rolled around, and my family and I took a short vacation to North Carolina to visit the beach. But on the first night of the trip, I received an unexpected (and unwanted) text: “Joanna. U awake?” It was 6 a.m., and I froze up after reading it. It was from the dreaded ex-boyfriend.

We had been apart for more than six months at that point, and this was the first time he chose to contact me.

Where had he been the past six months my life was changing? He wasn’t there for me when I got sick in the spring, when I went into surgery, when I got my first job or when I started to do more things on my own. I didn’t want him in my life now. His casual text upset me, and it seemed so careless of a question.

Around 10 a.m., some follow-up questions popped up on my phone. He wanted to meet me in the park to talk. I didn’t respond to any of his messages. When my family and I got home from vacation, my sister helped me to re-block his number. I didn’t have any time to waste in thinking about the past. Even just three months prior, I had wasted time wondering what it would be like to hear from him again. But after he texted me after six months of silence, I realized I had nothing left to say to him. Our relationship status: dead, and a thing of the past.

What do you do when you receive texts or messages from past boyfriends or girlfriends? Is it possible to continue in a friendship? Let the Burr know what you think below!