My ex contacted me after 2 years. I still love him, but not sure if I should respond?

[kichelka]

I met my first love when I was 19 and he was 22. We had some rocky times, but mostly great times. He became my best friend during those 5 years. We never had sex, believe it or not.

 

He moved to SF for an IT job and I followed 6 months later after being accepted into school. When I finally moved there, I noticed a distance from him. Turns out he had been emailing girls he met online for movie and coffee dates. I was devastated. Being that I had no one in that city, he helped me move into my own place. Six months go by and he shows up down the street from my place, proclaiming his love along with a heartfelt letter. I gave him another chance, but there was resentment on my part. That only lasted a few months.

 

That was three years ago and we last spoke two years ago, right before he left to move back to his homeland, Poland. I was pathetic and begged for him to stay, but he was so cold and detached. He said we shouldn't speak to each other anymore and so that was that. For two years I had tried to move on and date other men, but still missed him.

 

Last week I received a gmail chat from him while I was offline that said "Hey. How have you been?" I ignored it.

 

Last night he sent an email that said:

"Not sure if you got my messages the other day. Maybe you did and simply don't wish to speak with me. If that's the case that's cool, just ignore this email.

On the other hand if you do.... How has life been treating you? Hopefully well...what have you been up to?

Take care of yourself."

 

What does he want? Could he just be curious or could he be missing me? I don't know how to respond, or if I should respond at all. Why would he wait 2 years to contact me?