Dear Maitri,

It's Impossible

This is a great question. My view is that once a breakup, always a breakup. My own experience bears this out, but also, I've never really heard of people who really were in a relationship then broke up and then really got back together.

I disagree – don't disregard timing.

So, sorry to burst your optimistic bubble, but I'm convinced that it's impossible.

Circumstances Make It Hard To Go Back

I agree – it's hard. But it may work if you're willing to make a big change.

Why would this be the case? I think that once you make a real, honest try at something and it fails, that it is really hard to go back. This is particularly true if there are other, easier things to do that satisfy those needs.

For instance, if you and Mr. X are together, you fall in love, you plan for the future, and then, either it starts to lose its magic, or Mr. X falls for another woman, or you fall for another guy – all of these circumstances make it very hard to return to some pre-relationship magic.

I mean, why would you want to?

Reunions After 20 Years

On the other hand, there is the romantic idea of the long lost love, 20 years later, the couple is reunited and all is bliss. I've read about these stories, but are they true? If they are, then perhaps the key factor is time. As they say, time heals all...

Good luck,

- Charlie