Crushed.

[Chingas]

Smoke a cigar and rewatch your favorite movie.

[pnoon]

One door may have closed. But, in time, you will find that many others will open.

Take it from an old fart who knows. (oops. sorry.)

[s0leful0ne]

500 days of summer. Revoke my man card if you like, but its the perfect movie for this.

Originally Posted by s0leful0ne

500 days of summer. Revoke my man card if you like, but its the perfect movie for this.

I think it was revoked a long time ago, Aldrin.

The advice given is pretty much nuts on. #1, you're young, and it's part of life and growing up. I too, was one who felt things like this deeply and painfully. I got married to my ex when I was 22 (WAY too young). But the things I went through while with her made me the person I am today. It prepared me for the rest of my life. Several people here have met my wife, and know just how lucky I am. I love her dearly, and we are MUCH MUCH MUCH more compatible than I was with my ex. She loves and supports me and lets me be who I am.

take a step back and look at things differently. Remember the good times, but try not to dwell on them. Those memories will fade with time, but there are MANY more adventures waiting ahead of you. Heading to school in Tampa? Think of all the much hotter coeds you'll be able to hook up with now. Just relax and enjoy life as you can. The right opportunities will show themselves when you least expect them. I know that one from experience. The harder you look for them, the harder they will be to find.

Keep ya chin up!

[Ratters]

Sorry to hear it Mark.

When I was your age and that stuff happened to me I'd revel in it for awhile. Listen to some Frank Sinatra, cause when you've loved and lost the way Frank has you know what life's about. But hang out with your buddies and have fun. These break ups hurt, they're supposed to, lets you know you're human. It will turn around soon enough and then you'll be going "man I miss my single days".

So buck up little camper, tomorrow will be a brighter day.

[GreekGodX]

Just keep your head up and keep moving forward Just think all the time you'll have for cigars and drinks now

[Pass]

Like Chingas said. Had an earlier relationship not ended... you wouldn't have had this one. Now that this one has ended you have the next to look forward to. With many hard lessons learned, which will make the next relationship that much better! Trust me... been there done that!

But future reflections take time to help heal the wound. You're hurting now... My suggestion? Do something incredibly selfish for you! Go buy a motorcycle or something nice like a hug new humidor!!! Then go about finding and collecting cigars. Sometimes a little selfishness and irresponsibility can go a LONG way towards cheering you up!

[lightning9191]

It's better to figure out that it wouldn't work out now, then after you marry her. What to do now? Whatever you want to.....because someday you'll probably have a lot less freedom. Just don't lock yourself in. Sit on your porch, drink a beer, have a cigar, and read a good book. Go fishing. Go out with your friends. Go to the shooting range. It's summertime...lots of festivals. Go camping. Do some project you've been meaning to get to (woodworking, write a book, whatever). Just remember that you have lots of friends and family online and off that are here for ya if you need them.

[blugill]

AS been stated before don't dwell. You are 22, I didn't realize how dumb I was at 22 until I was 32, then I didn't realize how dumb I was at 32 until I hit 40.

Mourn the loss, recover from it, before you know it someone will be along and be better than before.

I married for the first time at 39 now I have two beautiful teenage daughters, and a very loving wife, none of which I would have had if I hadn't had bad breakups before.

It's part of it brother, a life experience and you have to go through the bad to find the truly good.

[kenstogie]

I recently broke up with a steady of a couple years and in my ripe old age of 39 ended it before it got to the yelling stage, I would like to think were still friends and we still talk every once in a while.

Don't be sad that it ended but happy that it happened.

I am sure there was some good that came of it after all you were with her for a while so there must've been some love there. 22 is kind of young (at least is was for me) and there still some stuff to be learned. In fact at 39 there's still stuff to be learned.

A one night fling always helps too.

[KidRock]

[quote=kenstogie;905596]I recently broke up with a steady of a couple years and in my ripe old age of 39 ended it before it got to the yelling stage, I would like to think were still friends and we still talk every once in a while.

Don't be sad that it ended but happy that it happened.

I am sure there was some good that came of it after all you were with her for a while so there must've been some love there. 22 is kind of young (at least is was for me) and there still some stuff to be learned. In fact at 39 there's still stuff to be learned.

That is some stellar stuff there. Thats some solid advice!

[Scottw]

I got invited to my ex girlfriends wedding after bumping into her at college a year earlier. Not exactly the most fun watching your ex all over someone else saying I do, etc. Later that night, I met a beautiful girl who had just had a breakup of her own. We danced, had a drink and two weeks later met for dinner. I have been with her for the past 11 years since and share a home and a beautiful family with her.

Keep your head up and know that you have the whole world open to you. Make something great happen!

[Superbad]

I guess you could call me an old fart as I shall turn 40 this year, but I am in denial as I still think I am young. My advice is that you should recognize that she just gave you the best gift ever. Will you be going to USF? If so that is 40,000 students and as a recent alumnus I can assure you there is no shortage of attractive and smart women there. Tampa is a great city and the cigar culture is still alive there. At age 22 you are still young, and have lots of great things ahead of you. Try not to dwell on the past, move ahead towards new experiences and new friends. Next time I will be in tampa maybe we can get together and have a cigar.

Oh yeah.... GO BULLS!!!

[Blueface]

Sorry to hear.
Been there.
You have to follow one simple philosophy:
One door closes but another opens.
Things happen for a reason.

[Wolfgang]

Byt I feel like my fingers were still in the door when it slammed shut. I'm doing my best to "move on" but she was there for me through a lot of the medical adventures I Went through. She was a major support system for me and it seems as though my legs were kicked out from under me.

[shilala]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang

Byt I feel like my fingers were still in the door when it slammed shut. I'm doing my best to "move on" but she was there for me through a lot of the medical adventures I Went through. She was a major support system for me and it seems as though my legs were kicked out from under me.

I can help with this one...
I divorced my wife five or six years ago over a long string of nasty sh!t she did. At first, I thought the things she did were about me. That she was trying to hurt me or get back at me for something she perceived I did.
It turned out that what she did was all about her, and I was just collateral damage. I just got caught in the propwash of her actions and it wasn't her intent. It wasn't about me, and that was a big relief.
I was married for a long time, we had a lot invested in our marriage, two kids, lots of stuff, and it took a good amount of time to get over it all. Mainly for her to get her head straightened out and start working in a good direction.
Now, we have a pretty decent working relationship. I still don't like her, but I didn't like her for lots of years when we were married, either.
What we did get from the divorce is a chance for both of us to be happy, and for us to live our lives out the way we want.
It's worked out fabulously, and I've fallen in love with a woman in a way I never thought possible.
It's already working out for you, too. Be patient. Enjoy life. Keep doing the next right thing and you'll be rewarded, guaranteed.
This verse helped me a lot, even though it's out of context, I've found it applies equally to love...
Luke 6:38 (New King James Version)

38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

[Wolfgang]

Well, My dog just died at the age of 15. That should keep my mind off things.

[Ratters]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang

Well, My dog just died at the age of 15. That should keep my mind off things.

Sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

[Superbad]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang

Well, My dog just died at the age of 15. That should keep my mind off things.

Wolfgang,
I am so sorry! My heart goes out to you. Are you from SRQ? I grew up on bird key.

[Pass]

Originally Posted by Wolfgang

Well, My dog just died at the age of 15. That should keep my mind off things.

Dude, that sucks! Losing your best friend is NEVER easy! I remember when we had to put down my St. Bernard when I was a kid. We had him for not even half the time you've had yours (hell, you basically grew up with him) and I was devastated. Took me another 4yrs or so before I could bring myself to get another dog.

On the upside... He was 15. So he lived a very long, happy, and fulfilled life. Most dogs - unless very well loved and cared for - never make it that far. Take solace in knowing that you gave a friend your very best and made their life long and fulfilled.

If you were in VA, man, the scotch (gotta bottle of The Glenlivet that is now 19yrs old) and the stogies would be on me.