When I was young there was a "boy" who loved me. He would genuinely have walked to the ends of the earth over hot coals for me (by young I mean I was 16 - 21 he was 15 - 20) He threatened to "take out" dd1's father for me (I declined) despite the fact that dd1's father would literally have used him as a mop and well he knew it.
Since establishing on FB that I am now single he is back in touch and has let me know that he is single and living near by. He will help me with diet and exercise, if I need him to (he is now a body builder) he also let me know what a big a big dick he has (I realise I am making him sound like a thoroughly nasty man, but he is genuinely lovely)
My mum and my sister would like to catch up in rl with him again and tbh, so would I. He was irreplaceable as a friend but I think he wants more. Would inviting him to meet up not be giving him false hope? I am not adverse to more, per say, if there was chemistry there this time, which last time there was not, however I don't want to be the one who just settles with him because it would be so easy to do.
He is such a nice man. He deserves so much more than someone who is with him purely because he is such a nice a man (and as such easy to take advantage of iyswim?) But otoh I do really miss him and would love to see him again.