How to help boyfriend move on from the past

Hi, everyone. My boyfriend (30) and I (26) have been dating for 2 years now. We’ve had a rough start. I was new to the faith and he’s been trying to live a holy life for about 7 yrs when we’ve met. I was this happy-go-lucky person who goes to church just as needed when he invited me to his close-knit community which really changed my life. And by that time, I’ve started picking up the Bible, go to church regularly and been serving the kid’s ministry.

But before my boyfriend’s conversion, he was in a relationship for 7 years with his childhood sweetheart. They grew up together, attended the same schools, had the same friends, etc. But this girl broke up with my bf all of a sudden because she was starting to have feelings for another guy who was more affectionate, more mature than my bf. And this broke my bf’s heart and his family for a really long time. It took him years to heal from this and was careful to start another relationship.

So fast forward.. A couple of months ago, my boyfriend was trying to let me see a funny picture in his phone. While he was searching for his friend’s name who posted it on facebook, I saw in his recent searches the name of his ex-girlfriend. I was shocked and asked him about it. And he honestly confessed that there are times when he thinks about her, just curious on how she’s doing, maybe thinks about what life could have been if they’re still together, or what would happen if he still pursued a secular life (money, success, fame). Btw, this girl is now happily married to the guy she had feelings back then. He said that, of course, he loves me and was really grateful for that breakup because that’s when his conversion happened. But you know, “what ifs” still haunt him every now and then. She was his whole life back then. He thought she’s the one.

I cried hard that night. He told me he still might stalk her social media every now and then. And he can’t help it. He doesn’t love her anymore but I guess he misses his old life. He’s still struggling of this until now. But he reminded me that I’m the one meant for him, the one he prayed for over the years. I have the essential qualities he looks for in a wife and he loves me aside all of it.

I trust him. He never let me felt unloved, was patient during my spiritual journey, guided me on this path. And I want to do the same for him. I want him to be happy, to be free from his past. I never knew he was suffering until that moment.

I know he doesn’t want to talk about this anymore. So are there any subtle or small things I can do so he can move on from this? I know it’s a long process and I’m willing to do it for years until he can finally say he’s free. Or maybe he might not completely and it’s okay. I just want to be more present and help him recover or just lessen the burden in this heart. Please help me. ☺️

Thank you in advance! God bless you all! ♥️