I also bonded well with my ex son-in-law and was a little devastated by their break up. He dated my daughter ever since she was 15 years old and they were married for about 15 years. Now our relationship has just become "polite" which is sad, considering his family and I still get along so well.I am trying since my case is not parents .......but the ex spouse of my child.
.... the person was like a child to me ...
i bonded hard with all my kids chosen partners not only for my kids sake but to not have any issues with them as i had seen happen in many families ..... now there is just a void where there once was a friend/ child. I miss their humor and presence ...
i also feel i will not bond with any future partner with this child....... as i see much of the downfall in marriage was my child's doing.
My daughter has a live in boyfriend for the past 5 years that I just don't feel any connection with at all. I don't dislike him, but I don't especially like him either. I can't come up with a word that describes how I feel. The word "nothing" comes to mind. But he's good to her, so I guess that's all that matters.