Dreams of a New Normal...

[MrBond]

Well that's the thing. You're not "ignoring him" you're just not "encouraging him".

We've been through this DB stuff and reading so many things that the LBS undergoes a period of R growth very quickly. So naturally, we expect our S to react just as quickly. It doesn't work like that especially if they don't want to.

If you still want to take the chance on your M, you'll have to take things one step at a time. Sure you've moved on, so you don't have anything to lose personally.

Encourage the behavior you want and discourage the things you don't. The ball is in your court now.

But since he's been bugging you from Day 1, don't encourage his idea of thinking that you're a "fallback plan" that will always be there.

Then if he REALLY wants to be with you and will change to do so, then he's going to have to prove it to you. Then it'll be up to you if whether or not you really accept it.