The one who got away...

Have you ever loved someone but end up losing them anyway? Ever find the love of your life only to find out that you weren't meant to be? I know this guy who I truly believe has met the love of his life only to get his heart broken by her in the end. Do you think he'll ever fall in love again and if he does would he love the next one as much? Would he find someone better or just give the next person a shadow of the love he gave the one who got away? I've met a couple of people who went through the same predicament. Some were lucky enough to find love again which turned out to be better than the one they thought were the love of their lives. That going through all that heartache was just a means for them to find it. Unfortunately, for others, they never get over their first love or the one who got away. The true love of their life. They end up settling for the next best thing. Learning to live day after day knowing that somewhere out there is the love that they wished they had but know wasn't meant to be. Trying to get through life knowing all this and giving as much love as they can to the person they finally end up with but end up not giving them much at all. Some even delude themselves into thinking that the one they're with are the love of their lives. That they've finally moved on but deep inside they never had and perhaps never will. It's sad actually. I don't know who has it worse. The person settling or the person they're settling for. What if they knew they were just second best? How would that make them feel? Some would be happy to have that person anyway they can. Believing that their love would be enough. Some would feel forever insecure and inferior. Some are just blissfully ignorant and go on believing that they are meant to be with and where they are. As for me, love is difficult enough without knowing you're just second best. Delusion can only take you so far. Sooner or later you'll figure out that your love IS NOT enough and it's for you to decide if you can settle for the love the other person is able to give you or are you willing to risk it all and try to find someone who can love you as much (or more) as you love them. Makes me think about this line from a song... "Are you going to stay with the one who loves you or are you going back to the one you love?" All I can say for the person on the other end... will you be content being just second best? Is your love alone strong enough to see you through? Something else to ponder on. I wish us all the luck in love.