HELP! I'm still in love with him and I think it was bad timing...

We will start with a little back ground and then dive into my true question.
So, many moons ago (ok like 7 years), back in college I started a relationship with an amazing man. Funny, compassionate, loving, handsome, genuine; we enjoyed all the same things and truly clicked. (He feels the same about how much we are a perfect fit) Over our time together we bought a house, took trips, developed mutual friendships, etc. We were compatible on every level (Lifestyle, sexual, emotional, dreams, 5-star Astrology match) except that I thought I was ready for everything and he was ready to experience life and finish college. After a year and a half of living together when I realized he had no intentions of a marriage or kids in the near future, I got impatient. I felt I would be waiting forever, holding back my dreams of a family and ended the relationship. We each moved on and over time came to terms with the past. We remained friends/friendly and then lost touch for a few years.

Since then we have both been in other relationship, myself two long terms that were dead ends and him a dozen randoms that he says never measured up to me. I also find myself comparing everyone to him and DQ relationships because I don't think the man is as good as he was. He set the bar very high and I honestly haven't found anyone who even comes close; Different and good in their own way, but never as much of a match as he was.

Today I find myself single and happy. I'm enjoying life amidst developing my work, self educating through books and travel; I am truly enthusiastic about life except one thing... I'm not married or a mother or any of the things 19yr old me had in mind. He is also single and has finished school, has a career and has done a lot of growing up (I think). We just reconnected and talk/text occasionally. Everytime we talk he mentions "Why can't I find someone who is this or who is that... you know, like you" and I know he isn't just saying this to attract me because he's done it over years of dating troubles.

Looking back, it was the best relationship I've ever had, happiest times of my life and I feel like we just had bad timing the first time we tried it out. We were too young and both needed to grow before we could fully commit long term. I believe we have now done our growing and he's currently looking for something real and wishes he had the type of thing we had (house, loving relationship, mutual friends, responsible life). I think we would be AMAZING together, but now we live in different states and have completely different schedules/lives. Although when we talk its just like old times and feels natural, there are still many things we have to re-learn about each other to be sure it could work. Many things have changed on the surface, but so much seems to be the same at the fundamental level where true compatibility lyes.

Should I just get on with my life and try to forget about him when years and years later after other relationships I still think about him regularly and compare men to his qualities and level of compatibility?
How do I know if he's serious or just reminiscing?
Is it a bad idea to try something again and potentially ruin a good friendship?
Is the distance a factor or do I follow my heart?
Should I try to pursue him or just see what happens?

Thank you in advance for your words of advice and experience!