[LincolnParkTrixie]

I'm 27 now and I've been friends with my ex since we were twelve. We dated for three years in college, and had a wonderful relationship and an amiable break up. I thought I was transferring overseas and he said it was too hard dating so far apart (250 miles) and he wanted a girlfriend closer to him. I had been a bit stressed by his moodiness and neediness while I was carrying a full class schedule, working full time, and rehearsing a show. Also, he was a bit of a homebody web designer, and I'm an actor so I do a share of schmoozing on the weekends. Ironically, rather than going overseas, as soon as we broke up, I moved home where he was because my mother got sick, and during a few emotional weeks he first told me to date other people and then that he wanted me back and I said no because he'd just change his mind again. That was five years ago now. He's only had one girlfriend since then that he now doesn't talk to at all. We're still friends and talk often, have the same friends from back home, and get along great. We're also both in a wedding together this spring. And we're both aware that we are still attracted to each other. At Christmas we messed around a little. (It had happened about four years ago too). I now live farther away, but have a much less hectic lifestyle, and he's looking to move out of our small town, but not necessarily fond of the big city I live in. I've thought over what worked and didn't work for us, why we broke up, etc, and I think that as who we are today we'd be pretty happy together if we can solve this geography problem, but I don't know how to bring it up or introduce the idea of dating again to him. Any ideas?

[amicon]

The simple answer to that is to ask him if he is interested in your starting to see each other as friends again and if he is,take it from there.

[I wish]

Considering your age and history together, you don't need to play mind games. Be direct. Be honest. Tell him how you feel about him and see how he responds.

[jaime90]

Openness, and honesty. Practice it! It's a part of healthy relationships. Ask him. Go from there.