Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Do you have or are you a one that got away?

5 replies

pollycallout · 08/02/2025 14:38

I think I used to have maybe one or two who I thought were ones that got away but in reality with was just the feeling of not closure that kept me ruminating on them and what happened or didn't happen between us.

I think there is a guy or two who feels that way about me, or did at the point they told me that although I find in general that men are less likely than women to fully close the book on a past relationship and are more likely to be open to re-establishing a relationship under the right circumstances than women who are a bit more final when they decide its over.

Now I'm older I tend to think relationships that end or don't work out or never get properly started are that way for a good reason and that unless someone what forcibly removed from your life against both your wills (this rarely happens but I suppose it could sometimes) then the concept of the "the one that got away" is a bit of a fantasy.

What do you all think?

OP posts:
user9578 · 08/02/2025 14:41

Yes, I had one and I was the one for someone else. We always kept in touch lightly over the years and then left our marriages to be together years later. We're quite a few years down the line now, and I do believe that we probably should have always been together.

Checkhov · 08/02/2025 14:42

I have heard of this concept before and I can see it may be true for others, it is not true for me. All of my ex partners are exes for very good reasons.
I think maybe my first ex might think I was the one that got away, but he can bloody jog on after the way he treated me 😁

StarCourt · 08/02/2025 14:49

I have one that at the time i thought was the one that got away, I thought that for a few years as it took me so long to get over him. I am definitely the one that got away for 2 other guys, but I never go back

TheTecknician · 08/02/2025 15:36

About half a dozen. I've never formed a single relationship with anyone but I really wish I could have made it work with just one of those ladies.

LaPalmaLlama · 08/02/2025 16:04

Yeah but no. There’s a couple I still hold a bit of a candle for but honestly I know we wouldn’t be great together when it comes to actual life so it’s just nostalgia really. Hot unreliable men are best left where you found them - back when I was also hot and unreliable. 🤣🤣

New posts on this thread. Refresh page