As the title says, do feelings for someone ever actually go away or do we just replace them with someone else?
I think moving on is where the replacing happens. I think it happens in the way of just cause and affect. IOW, breakup happens, both go their separate ways, one or both get over that person, find someone new, falls in love. Cause and affect of the breakup. Can't avoid it being replaceable. If one doesn't want to be replaceable then make sure you do each other right, and are in genuine love because the probability is not that high to be replaceable as compared to being flighty with one another and doing each other wrong. Can't replace memories but if we weren't so replaceable then we wouldn't be able to find something good after a serious relationship ends.
In regards to the feelings, it depends on what types of feelings you are talking about.
I'll use my own self as an example. When I think about my exes, 'feelings' do come. They were a part of my life for a time. I hope they have a great life. I remember the problems, and some of them, the memories get me frustrated when I remember because I don't like that I have went through some of the things I have went through women and I don't like how I burned some women. I hope they have found a good man for them, maybe pop out some kids if they want and they live a productive life. I also remember the good times, and they make me feel good to know I have experienced some face of love. I had some good times with some good women and I have never had a crazy woman so I have good memories.
I do not have romantic feelings, or feelings of 'love' for any of my exes though. I would never get back with any of them. I wouldn't have a one night stand, or even a make out session. I don't even have feelings of 'close friendship'. The ones that have talked about being friends, they know to use me for a last resort to come to to talk or to not come to me at all. I figure my strong desire for them to be happy, and be productive, if they need to have thoughts from me to help them out, that is good enough. I don't pretend that I can have worthwhile friendships after romance has taken place(whether deeply or not so deep) and after major let downs and hurt come along and tear people apart from each other. Maybe others can do it, and hey if you can...then you can, but I can't and honestly? Don't really want to.
Secondary question. I am reading a book and there was an interesting quote. From a lady: "I didn't know that guys hurt like they do until I had sons of my own." what is your guys take on that?
Just shows how much females do not have a clue about us males when too many times, it is mostly talked from the flipped side. It may not be their fault, or the male's fault. More times than not, I do not believe it is the fault of females. It is the male's responsibility to be understood and the female's responsibility to be workable with trying to understand, just as it is the female's responsibility to be understood and the man's responsibility to be workable with trying to understand and if one can't do it, then don't cry about not being understood. We are different from one another.
Then sometimes, some females are willingly blind to understanding a man and only care about themselves and sometimes men are the same way as well.