After 10 years, he contacts me ( Archived) (42)

Thalassa: Like so many worldwide, I am on Facebook, though I don't frequent it. Out of the blue today, I received a "friend request" from my ex-husband, who I haven't seen or spoken with in ten years. I long ago moved on and long ago put my marriage behind me. It (my marriage to him) has been safely and comfortably filed away in a place inside me where I store the past. Like a locked box, I hold the memories of that marriage, but I have nothing to add to it and could blow an inch of dust off of it, for it's been so long since I've opened that box. And now, he drops in out of the blue...this very day...and the dust flew off and the box popped open and, lo and behold, it was empty. He sent me a long message, asked questions, wanted to hear from me and find out about my life in the past 10 years and about my family, etc. I never considered ignoring him, for I broke free of anger and hurt many years ago. I answered his message and asked about his family (my former in-laws) as well. I just finished reading his reply, which was again very lengthy. 10 years have been capsulized and summarized by the both of us in a matter of minutes, through a brief exchange of messages on Facebook. I might as well have been reading a post here on CS from someone I know nothing about. Our lives have gone in such completely different directions, whereas we once had planned to go down the road together. And I couldn't be happier. Once devastated, now delighted. He ended his message by saying that he really hopes that we will stay in touch, but I don't see any reason to write again. I'm caught up. In minutes, I've learned all that I need to know. The box is empty. I've not felt anything for him in many years, but it's nice to know that I feel nothing because there is nothing to feel. The box is empty.