DEAR ABBY: "Brent" and I have been friends since grammar school. We had always had chemistry, so at 18 we took it to another level and started dating. After three months, I broke it off because it didn't "feel right." Brent hadn't cheated on me -- in fact, we got along perfectly.
We are now 21 and ran into each other recently. All the feelings I had for him came flooding back and -- to my amazement -- he said he felt the same way.
Only one thing is holding me back. I have heard the phrase, "An ex is an ex for a reason." What is your opinion? -- FOUND MY SOULMATE IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR FOUND YOUR SOULMATE: Sometimes there is a kernel of truth in those hackneyed cliches. And that's why it is important for you and Brent to carefully examine what went wrong the first time before becoming involved again. It could save one or both of you from getting hurt.