Originally Posted by shygrneyzs
I can understand how this is sure confusing you. You are smart to question as you don't want to be played. Yes, you can ask him if he means what he says. But do it gently. As you continue to write to him and he to you, you will see if his feelings are genuine. Sometimes we do not see what we truly had in a relationship until we do not have it. Him being in the military, possible deployment - it brings life into a focus that many of us cannot appreciate the same way.
Other people are willing to give you counsel; your friends and family and they mean well. They are coming at this from a perspective of not wanting you to be hurt. You can tell them how much their thoughtfulness means to you but you can also ask them to stay out of this, that all this is, is writing back and forth. Because right now, that is all that is is. You have time on your side. Time to discern his true feelings, time to figure out your own, time to separate a fantasy from reality, time for life. Don't rush yourself or rush him.