!agree

can you still love a deceased spouse?

but if you still love your deceased spouse, and marry someone new as a widower, would that be incongruent with your initial statement?

sure it can be. Granted I've never been married, but I've had pretty horrible break ups and dated people during the grieving process. my love for the new person is something entirely unique of my previous one

at least in my approach and understanding of relationships

haha you'll get there my dude. just make sure you're happy with yourself first and foremost, and you can be happy with just about anyone

at least by any healthy measure

haha break ups are life.

sadness is a part of life

I like to think of it as owning a dog (not to make it sound sexist or whatever)

where when you get the dog you understand at a certain point it will die before you do. you accept that responsibility and that impending sadness, for the happiness you get to enjoy in the meantime

as long as you can see the happiness you receive as comparable or worth the future suffering, you're ready for a relationship