How intimate is sexting?

I've been sexting a long distance friend of mine for months (no nudes, and I'm 25 so we're both adults). We've been close since we were kids, but recently admitted to wanting more so that's how it started. Anyway, I'm surprised at how intimate it can be. Like you know how you feel super close when you have sex with someone you love? It's like that sometimes and I'm wondering if anyone else has felt the same thing.