How do you properly reconnect a friendship with someone that you hurt?

[whatsupbri]

Now I had a close male friend and used to be really close to. At this point he’s probably replaced me and has another friend now. I know he loves me although I’m a big reason why the friendship broke off.
It’s been almost 2 years since. We are still cool but we don’t hang out. We only talk and see each other here and there. I don’t want to run him off or scare him by asking to be friends again. What’s the best way to approach him and say I want to be friends again?

Updates

+1 y

@Armie you’re absolutely right. There’s a possibility he could reject it. I have kinda accepted that. But it will hurt because I truly mean well and miss him as a friend. I also feel there’s a woman in his life and that will make it hard as well to try and have a friendship if he has a woman.

[The_Maphio]

By owning up to your mistakes and apologizing, sincerely, for what you did.
If you were really friends, he should recognize your good faith and calm down quickly. Maybe not immediately, but soon.

It depends on the level of maturity of the person too. And the gravity of the thing that caused the fight to begin with.

[Armie]

Firstly you should apologize and let it be know it won't happen again and be open to the idea they have the right of rejecting your renewed friendship and being able to accept that

[Máiiréad]

I second this.

[whatsupbri]

Well I have apologized in the past. He seemed to be welcome of me after a awhile especially recently. He made a comment I don’t know when to be quiet basically saying I talked too much.
But I could try and apologize again and tell how I won’t do that again. I’ve already overtime been trying to show with action how I truly care and don’t mean to hurt him. I really think he sees that. But I think he’s being careful.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Just ask him straight up but if he’s in love with you and you rejected him he may not wanna be friends

[whatsupbri]

He’s never said it and I did let him know I liked him a long time ago. He didn’t give a response. So I took it as ok either he’s not feeling me like that. Or he does find interest in me but doesn’t plan to act on it.
Because I’ve mentioned it like twice 2 years ago. And no real response.

[whatsupbri]

He gives no response but his actions are wishy washy. So I just take it as he’s not into me enough to want a relationship or more than friends. Or like I said if he is he just don’t wanna go down that road for whatever reason.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I agree with you

[whatsupbri]

Yeah he’s receptive of me but I know he wouldn’t try to date me. We could be friends. When you hurt someone it takes time to completely rebuild the bond if there’s meant to be one. But he said I hurt his love ones and I really didn’t intend to. But I did.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I guess just try to talk to him and hope for the best

[DoggyDude]

Just relaxedly resume the friendship like nothing happened. True friends put things behind them. However, if this has a romantic aspect that's entirely other and more complex.

[exitseven]

I had a falling out with one of my best friends, We knew each other since we played i the sandbox together. We did not speak for 2 or 3 years. I went to his mother's funeral and we sort of got past whatever happened. He came by my house last week.

[noohair]

If he has any romantic feelings for you, it is, in my experience, very difficult to be just friends.

[whatsupbri]

This is true too as I find it hard to be around him knowing that I really like him. Well love him 😟
Sometimes I feel like falling back so my feelings can just go away. Or stop being around him too much even tho I love him.

[MotorcycleMan]

Start with an apology. Tell him that you value your friendship and miss spending time together.

[Anonymous]

just take it slow and let it happen naturally on it's own

[LegendaryIcon]

why would you want to

ESPECIALLY because it's a male female relationship

[whosnumber1]

actions speak louder than words.

[Oh-canada]

Sometimes you can’t and you hope time will help

[Hulk30]

just tell him