Cool present for a 16-year-old guy?

Why does this guy pop up in my head? I only dated him once, long ago?

• I met this guy a year ago - wasn't looking for anything. In fact, I was "disgusted" with dudes and I wanted nothing to do with them. We (somehow) clicked very naturally. I wasn't think about him as "boyfriend potential" or "friends only" kind of guy... I was interested in him as a person and felt he was great to be around and talk to. It was that simple. He asked for my number, we went out - things looked good (we were definitely both shy), and nothing really happened for that. I just remember FEELING in my heart sooo badly and in my stomach, I couldn't see that guy at that moment. Just went through a breakup 2 months before (short lived) but I just wasn't "healthy", I didn't like who I was, I wanted the time for me. Even if I was "single ready to mingle", he was too special to mingle with; and I knew in my stomach, I couldn't see him at at all and wished/prayed I would get someone cool like him at a much better time in my life. He never called/texted that night. I texted him a week later just to see how he was. If he didn't like me, we could be friends, right? I wasn't sure if he was hinting to get food (bc he did say a certain food sounded "good" at that moment) but it just went nowhere. Months passed, I healed/got better and around winter, I sent him a message asking how he was and he never replied. That was my confirmation. I knew in my head, it couldn't work with this guy. I have dreams of people even telling me, "he just doesn't like you" and even then, I didn't take hurt or offense to it. Practically speaking, why would I want to be with a guy who gave me a job interview when we went to dinner? giving me e-harmony, "wifey" type of questions? I look back at all the experiences I had with love/dating/relationships - and I get the origin of it and the reason for it happening. With this guy, I don't see it! It's just a big, random puzzle piece that just played out in my life. It didn't lead me anywhere or anyone nor "change" me, nor did I learn a lesson fr it. (trust me, i've thought it through). He was just this random shy guy who I got along so well - wanted to "hang out" but we ended up going to dinner, so it was a date but was more like a "wife" interview. So random. Now, I'm here... remembering him clearly. To be honest, I feel that he's still present in my mind (at times) is bc he was someone who I thought every guy should behave when with me. (Sorry so confusing) But I always had this vision of how a gentleman should behave and how he should approach/talk to me and he did that and more. Classy mutual/genuine respect. Also, he was the closest (who I've met so far) who had traits I wanted in someone. He's probably not perfect and it's probably a blessing I'm not with him but there are times when he comes up in my mind! WHY?!! (I have nothing to do w. him at all nor do we have mutual friends... just 2 random people). Haven't talked in a year... so it's too late. No point. Haven't talked or seen this guy in a year... had no relationship w. him, nothing serious, nothing physical, yet he wasn't some "guy I went out w. once". It's obvious (and insane) that I feel smitten him w. him, still. (despite all the guys who i've met/hung out w. and have pursued me)

• Answer:

  Guesses - pick any that makes you very annoyed, because that means it is probably correct. Maybe the attachment to a memory of him is a diversion your mind makes up to protect you from having to meet new people. Something about it maybe scares you. Maybe, since he was a decent guy and you saw potential, his disinterest in you after the "wife interview" bothers your ego. You want to know why you would not "get the job," and your thinker can only come up with your own disinterest as an answer ... if you work up an interest, that'd be the logical first step towards answering this question, but of course there's no next step to take. Maybe he's just a road not taken, that you always wonder where it would have gone, and that diverts your attention from real things in your life you'd rather not deal with.