Completelylost, i think I'm getting your drift here. you changed and grew as a person. Your W stayed stagnant, I'm assuming she was WW and though she came back, she was still her. The same person in the old marriage trying to make a new one. However, you were a different person in a different marriage. Fine and dandy for x amount of years however, i gather, perhaps you feel as though that's it, she'll always be the W from the past marriage, not something you want. She will always be Her, which is fine, but not for you the new man in a new marriage with a new vision.
I think i get it. I had this conversation with a friend. I'm changing so much. I'm focusing on me and what I need as opposed to what my W and SD need. I know to be happy in a M I must be happy with the person staring at me in the mirror. I don't think any of our spouses come back to our M's happy with themselves. Which I too saw as a minor hiccup in the whole situation.
maybe I am completely off as to where you're at but that's my take. keep on keeping on sir. Thanks for chiming in and coming back!