Do You Ever Reflect on a Previous Relationship and Wonder ‘What If’?

This is more of a discussion, and I’d love to hear if others have experienced something similar.

Recently, my Catholic male friends and I were talking about relationships, and it was surprising to hear how many of them had gone through something strikingly similar. They had been in very serious relationships, ones they genuinely thought would lead to marriage. These relationships were with people who seemed to have everything they wanted—a strong faith, good values, and a sense of purity that made the relationship feel truly genuine.

However, there was often one small issue—something minor that could have been fixed if both parties had worked on it. Despite this, the relationship ended. Now, some of these friends still look back at those relationships with a sense of regret or longing, wondering what could have been. They’ve moved on, met new people, and started new chapters, but they admit that they’ve never felt the same kind of pure, true, and genuine love since.

So, my question to all of you is this: Have you ever experienced a serious relationship with a devout Catholic person— with a love so pure and good.. only to have it end? Do you ever look back and wonder what might have happened if you had worked through the challenges? Or do you believe that it’s possible to find an even deeper, truer love with someone else in the future?

I’m curious to hear your stories and perspectives!