1. You Played Important Roles in Each Other's Lives

Short-term, long-term, it doesn't matter – some people simply affect your life more deeply than others.

2. Your Ex May Genuinely Be a Good Person

Breaking up with someone doesn't automatically make the other person horrible.

3. If You Were Friends First, You Don't Want to Lose Your Friendship

This is one of the best reasons to remain friends, providing that your relationship didn't kill the foundation of your friendship.

4. Falling out of Love Doesn't Always Mean Falling out of like

You can like someone very much, even if you aren't in love with them any longer.

5. You Might Simply Feel like You Make Better Friends

This happens more often than you might think.

6. Your Romantic Relationship Could Have Faded into Friendship

In fact, if you simply grew apart romantically, then you might even recognize that you're better off as friends.

7. If You Have Children Together, Being Friends Has Many Benefits

This goes without saying – it's an ideal situation and it's not possible for everyone, but when it is possible, it's so much better for everyone involved.

8. Ditto if You Have Pets Together

Same.

9. Your Ex Might Be One of the Only People Who Gets Your Humor

That's pretty big, especially if you have a weird, dry, or dark sense of humor.

10. Plus You Know Everything about Each Other

Granted, some exes will know more than others, but you get my drift, right?

11. Sometimes, It's Simply Hard to Let Go, Even if the Romance is Gone

If your ex makes you happy on any level, even after you've fallen out of love, letting go sometimes feels impossible.

12. It's Possible That You're Also Close with Their Family

Breaking up with an ex's family is awful when you really love those people.

13. And You May Have Tons of Mutual Friends

Ugh, same.

14. So You Won't Have to Go through a Friend-divorce

Seriously, friend-divorces are devastating.

15. Neither of You Will Be the Bad Guy

Wouldn't that be refreshing for a change?

16. You Can Help Each Other with Future Relationships

After all, you know what worked, what went wrong, what you both like, what you hate ...

17. You Won't Have Nearly as Much Baggage in Your Next Relationship

You may still have some baggage, but it won't be due to an acrimonious ex.

You should never stay friends with your ex because you want to get back together or because you're still hung up on the relationship – that has so much potential to hurt you – but there are times when staying friends is the best bet. Have you ever remained friends with an ex?