Do people really reconnect years later?

Basically one of my really good friends and I got really close and hooked up when he came home for a week from across the country. He left the next day and we were talking ever since. He sent me flowers in Valentine’s Day and everything. We even talked about me flying out in a few months to see him and he offered to pay for half of it. A few days ago his mood was off and he told me that he thought about how this was all gonna work and he felt as if it just wasn’t the right time and that he needed to focus on other aspects of his life before hopping into a committed relationship. I was hurt but he said maybe down the line if things are meant to be they will be and that we’ll see what happens. He also said that he would want to do it the right way when he does come home in a few years. Obviously we’re both not going to wait that long for each other and that’s why we’ll see what happens. We agreed to remain good friends despite all this which is actually harder than it seems. I was just wondering how many people on here have reconnected with someone they were with years later? I’m so optimistic and wish I could see into the future.