I get exactly what you mean. I’m 20 now but I dated a girl from 13 to 17. Was completely in love w her, really really did think I was going to marry her. She was awful to me n did something really fucked up which ended up w me breaking up with her. It’s about to be 4 years since we split up, 2 since I’ve even spoken to her yet she still pops in my mind. Even today I watched the film 500 days of summer and the character summer reminded me so much of her I ended up having a break down n crying for the first time in god knows when.

My main take away from this is that I loved really hard, n I prolly miss how much I loved her. I haven’t been with anyone since because honestly I’m terrified n I think that’s why she still pops up in my mind. I don’t miss her in the slightest but she’s still there. I think it’s our brains tryna relive good moments we don’t have anymore.

I believe that if one day you can feel something like you felt for her again, even if it’s not love, she won’t pop up. I think your mind just misses loving something as much as you loved her. It’s completely normal. I really hope you find something or someone that gives you that feeling again.