I'm so heartbroken

I am so devastated. Me and my well boyfriend broke up last night; it was on good terms but I just can't accept it. When we became friends, he chose to remain friends because university and that but somehow things were going so well and we took a big step from that, we always been bubbly &chatty talking about everything 
But lately since he moved a bit far from where I live we both became so busy and it's like we've growth apart , we love each other but timing was never right
Plus next year I am going uni too and he believes that things will only get worse and doesn't want to lose me like that.
I'm so mad because I feel like if you love someone you can make things work but well I guess I learnt that love isn't enough to make a relationship work. I couldn't stand see him cry, or he see me cry and he wants to keep in touch but I don't know if I can. Does any of you ever broke up because timing or things weren't working and ended up being friends or got together again?