If you tell someone I always wanted to apologize to your face and I missed the opportunity and they didn't respond, what does that mean?

[Anonymous]

Context: I saw them in public from a distance but I couldn't stop and say hello because I was in a hurry. Later that day I messaged them saying "I think I saw you". They said I should've stopped and said hey. I haven't spoken to them or seen them in years. We had like a major fallout and that's where the apology was needed.

[DoggyDude]

Saying someone "should have stopped an said hey" is a general polite way to indicate that the person should feel comfortable to say hello. If its in a text message, I'd say its just reading your "I think I saw you" as you seeing someone like them, which might have been them, but not having said hello so their response encourages you to do so next time.

I would personally find it strange for someone to tell me what you mention in the title/question. Saying "you always wanted something", is emphising how you haven't done it (and unless your feeling they have a romantic interest, I wouldn't expect a response per-say); When someone contacts me to tell me they haven't done something, I may just ignore the message, because, what DO you say to someone having not done something? Seems the message stands alone and requires some follow up. My lack of reply would indicate nothing except possibly me waiting to hear more context. If though I was romantically interested I'd likely respond with, "aw damn I'd have love to have seen you" or something.

[Anonymous]

I would be more hurt with the not talking to them again for years. I get life is busy, but not so busy you could have reached out and said "how are you?"