So, just wanted to update.
I replied (2wks) later to his message w/ a happy valenine’s day message. Thanked him for his kindness, understanding and for being a good friend to me, on a really bad day. I joked that if we were in the same city, I’d invite him out to eat chicken legs (inside joke) He replied: “HvD to you too, K❤️” and said:
“thank you for your words but you never have to thank me for being your friend. It’s my pleasure and a very special part of my life”
He said, “Missing you” and said he’d LOVE to go have wings with me & cracked a joke, as well.
So overall, my take is that, we’re in a solid place as friends; and that yes, we care for one another and value our friendship. And maybe in the future, there’s hope for more?… Thoughts?