I think people from our (past) life appear in our dreams and there is some randomness to it all or perhaps something more deeper in meaning. I lost my add 10 years back but he doesn't appear in my dreams as much. I do write down when he does appear and the emotion attached to it. I do the same when my wasband appears in my dream. For me, it has moved from feeling fear and anxiety to just being a character in my dream with no emotion. I think that's progress in my healing.