Before I tell you how I reacted, I have to share this perspective with you: I’d wonder about this guy sometimes. He was the biggest jerk in my life. Sadly, I gravitated towards his bad boy ways in my youth. I suppose that was key in his attractiveness at that time. I remember him that way — arrogant, strong, seductively intimidating. I hated him after the relationship ended, but I did wonder about him from time to time.
Then boom! A recent picture of him flashed on my screen. I knew it was recent because it was dated 2012. Holy crap. There was the bad boy of my youth — pot-bellied, messed-up hair… woah. I was speechless. Where was the debonair guy I dated? Where was the arrogant air he possessed?
I went, “Way to go karma!” For a minute, I was elated. I did an invisible fist pump in the air. Then afterward, I felt sad. What happened?, I wondered. He was one of the most self-assured guys I knew then, and he hardly looked that way now. Sure, it was just a picture, but you just sense these things. Now what? Well, now nothing. At least I no longer wonder what he looks like. At least I no longer wonder if I’d still recognize him if I ran into him — I wouldn’t. Boredom averted, curiosity satisfied, I went about the rest of my research feeling a bit more focused.
I guess knowing you moved on in life much better than an ex-boyfriend is a good ego boost. Do you Google people you know? Do you Google yourself?