No contact rule

Hi guys... so today I spoke to my ex for the first time in really long. We broke up a year ago, and I didn't contact him for the first 6 months, then made contact, broke contact again and today I spoke to him..

So I have been using the no contact rule so to speak..

He is a very proud man and not really public about his feelings...

However today he told me I should have never left, he should have never let me go, and the wise old neighbor told him that he should have married me. I was the right woman for him..

Then he repeatedly said I miss you..

Back when I left, I gave him back all his stuff. Today he told me he kept it all. He is still buying things "with sentimental value or that reminds him of me, so that maybe one day he can give to me..

I don't know guys what do you think? Did the no contact rule work