Great piece, this really made me think. I agree that it's awful to be someone's consolation prize because the person they really wanted to be with didn't work out at the time. It's a horrible thing to do to another person. If you're not over your ex or past lover, you definitely should not be moving on with someone else.

One of my biggest fears in my relationship was that my boyfriend was secretly still in love with his ex, but he has proven over time and reassured me that this was absolutely not the case. If things don't work out with the person you thought was "the one," you should stay single until you've healed and moved past it (even if that means being single for years.)

Anyway, really thought provoking topic that hit home for me. Thanks for this!