Is it stupid to be friends with your ex when you're still in love with them?

Ohhh Wow! This sounds so much like ME! My Ex and I were together 5 years. She in one State and I was from another. I moved to her State for those 5 years. Now I'm back in MY State & have visited her 3 x since I've been back & we talk often. Depth of feelings I know are one sided, I'm still in love with her, and although she still tells me she loves me, its not the same feelings I have. I've always said though, I would rather have her friendship than nothing at all. I can't tell you how draining it is and often question if I should really cut ties altogether. Most we've gone w/o speaking is 8 months & then we reconnected because both of our Sfathers passed away on the same day. How weird is that? Each of us deals with our Ex's differently & we've had different experiences. While I STILL, 3 years later, talk with her, I still cry for what will never be again & I understand that. I just can't separate the heart from the brain. I'm just not made up that way. If I remained in the same town as her, I could never just stay in the friend zone. Everything is a process...remind yourself that and be gentle with yourself .