Hmmm, this is a good question. Can you recreate romance with an ex-boyfriend?

My answer: Yes, but why would you want to? If it didn't work out the first time, why do you think it is going to work out this time? Why keep trying to get lemonade from a lime? Does he want you? Is this mutual or are you forcing it? Is he forcing it? Seemed like a good idea and now you wondering what you got yourself into? Or, you just can't seem to get over your ex and are hoping there is something you can do to re-ignite his passion for you?

Of course, these and many other factors should be considered when thinking about re-kindling the love with an ex-boyfriend. First question I would ask is, "why now?" Second, what has changed or is different? Am I just lonely or do I really want this guy?

As for me, what is in the past is in the past. Relationships that I thought I would die over, I don't even think about today, and if any of the men in my past happened to look me up, which they always do, I wouldn't be interested in the slightest - with the exception of maybe one and that door closes everyday. Tomorrow brings new opportunities and new adventures.

Don't try to make a past relationship work because you find yourself a little lonely in the present. Go and join a team, doing something new, take a class, but don't settle. You never know what tomorrow brings and like everyone always tells me, "when you least expect it, IT will happen." I don't know how true that is, but it certainly alleviates a lot of pressure to "be" with someone and to get on with the rest of your life....today. If it happens great, if it doens't you are still living a full life and who knows, maybe YOUR "Mr. Big" is waiting for you in the "getting on with the rest of your life" place!

I don't know if that answered your question, but I tried. Christine might have much better insight than I do on this subject.

Christine's Answer: It depends. In fact, I think it largely depends on how and why you left things the first time around.

Of course there will always be hurt feelings left over from the first relationship, no matter what. This is a breakup, after all. But I really do think the success of your next relationship could directly correlate as to how and why you said goodbye the first time around.

For instance, some people break-up simply because it's just not the right time in their life--if this is the case, who knows, ten years down the road or maybe even five, could be all that couple needs to work things out in the future.

And as for those other break-ups, the ones that result from infidelity or similarly heart-crushing reasons, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe those who enjoyed a very heated break-up can still come together again for a second time around and enjoy a very lasting, satisfying relationship.

All I know is, personally, I can forgive, but I have a very hard time forgetting. I don't necessarily know if I could overlook how the previous relationship ended and begin a new one, if it the first break-up had come about for certain reasons.

In the end, I think it all boils down to the individual.