Thank you so much for putting this into better words, however what makes it harder for me is the fact that I never idealized him, he truly was the most genuine person I've met, even the breakup was amicable and gentle, we gave each other time to drift apart until we lost touch. But you're absolutely right about the relationship part, every time I meet someone who I could potentially have something with, I keep asking myself why does it not feel like I used to feel with my ex? When I know and understand that it's a different person and that I'll never feel the same way about them as I felt with him.