My ex was friends with the guy I was going to marry until a drunk driver took his life. He was there for me through all of the sorrow, and heartache I was going through. He just kinda kept hanging around for a long time, then he disappeared for 2 months. (he is a fire fighter, and at that time, he was also with the forest service, and got called out of state. They weren't allowed to call anyone to let them know what was going on)
When he got back, I knew I had fallen in love with him. He told me first, and we dated for about 6 months, then got married.
It didn't work out, but he will always be the love of my life. I have not dated anyone since we broke up.