My crush from the past

[Dalcourt]

Something really weird happened to me. I got an email from a guy I had a deep bond with a couple of years ago.

I met this guy online in some anime forum. We where about 13 -14 at that time. We immediately like each other and talked about all kinds of stuff...we had both been sexually abused as kids and had trust issues but we bonded over this and could talk to each other about basically everything.
I developed a massive crush and he, too. We had a quite intense online relationship. Guess we both were really in love with each other at some point.

But somehow life and long distance (he is from Singapore) came between us.

Strangely enough I received now an email from him on my old address I hardly use anymore. He told me how I suddenly popped into his mind and how he read all our old email exchanges he had saved. And he couldn't stop thinking about me and wants to reach out to me.
He asked me to reply if not that I still like him at least that I am doing fine and all.

It was so strange. I had almost forgotten about him and suddenly all those feelings rushed over me. I am overwhelmed I don't know how to react. I mean I had moved on and now I have butterflies in my stomach because of this guy.

I want to write back but I don't know what to say. I am not sure
how I feel. He wrote such a long letter to me. Just saying oh great to hear from you I'm doing fine. It kinda feels so wrong. But admitting that I had my feelings for him coming back? I dunno...I mean it's not like a relationship between us would ever have a chance. So rekindle it would just hurt us.
I would love to be friends with him but I am not sure if this just staying friends would work or just be awkward.

I really have no idea how to handle this.

[NewLeafsFan]

It sounds to me like you have already made up your mind. I agree that trying to rekindle a relationship is pointless because of the distance between the two of you and that it would be really difficult for the two of you to just be friends. Send him an email saying that you are well and appreciate him reaching out to you, but those years of your life are over and you don't want to move backwards. Do not respond to any of his future emails. If he expects a future response, he is showing you that he doesn't care about the boundaries that you are trying to live in.

[bunnyhabit]

you is girl so short message will be fine to not seem needy or chasing a guy. just say yes i am quite well and after a long time still cherish our old relationship. i am quite happy to hear from you again hopefully we can go back to the way it was before. please excuse if i slow because very popular with men but will return message you from my heart always.

[Alumni]

Work it out.
Honesty with someone who feels in that way is the best way to go.
Establish that boundary of a friendship rather than a relationship if you don't feel that it is viable for you. If you feel that you can handle a friendship with this person, you should pursue it, but try to keep it distant if it discomforts you.

[Uniquemind]

If you’re interested and single, I’d keep communication open, get a background check done to make sure you aren’t being catfished, and if ever in the future you two have the chance to meet do it. But if one or the other finds someone else, I would slowly break contact. But have it be a friendship only until Face to face meetup and discussion can happen.

[jamie_n5]

Well by him reaching back out to you it's obvious that just like you looking back on your past communications stirred up feelings again. It's quite plain to me that you both really loved each other and enjoyed your times together. I wouldn't be a bit reluctant to message him back and tell him the truth on how you exactly feel. Being forthright, honest and truthful is the best way to handle any situation. Speak from your gut and your heart and you can't go wrong my friend.