Is this typical scorpio behavior ?

we dated in highschool & had a mutual break up. we are now in our 20's living on opposite sides of the state and have been writing eachother (due to lack of technology sources) for almost a year. We developed a new friendship and over time it reached a deeper level. Soon enough we began romantically expressing our feelings for eachother. We werent exactly planning on a future relationship nor did either of us insist on getting into one. We were kind of just going with the flow.

Anyway, a situation happened with my family so i stopped writing him for about a month. Then he sent me a letter saying he's overstepped boundaries and he cherishes our friendship so much that he wants to sustain it rather than force what isnt there. He said that he has love for me simply as a friend. but with this letter he sent me a birthday card saying "I wish i could be with you as often as i think of you"

I just dont get it.

Everything was fine, then out of no where he falls back and says he just wants to be friends ?
and sending the message to me in a card like that ? its like mixed emotions

I definitely felt as though he just didnt think us having feelings for each other was a good idea.
thank you guys , now i need to reassure this man of my feelings lol