How to know if my ex still loves me

Well, I have never asked a question online before, but I thought would give it a try and I would like honest, reliable answers thank you and mature people only.

Right this the situation, my ex broke up with in 2007 and he didnt really want to at all...

but it was because of he was thinking of the long time and that he felt he had to because of his family. As his mum wasnt very happy about our relationship, like she thought he was ruining his education at sixth form at the time with sepding time with me. The thing is he loves his mum and his family very much and doesnt want them hating him in the long term if we had stayed together and they may have not wanted to know him. So really it was about that rather than our relationship being bad, we didnt have any agruments, we compromised, would say sorry straight away and it was definately true love I am sure . we would forget about little problems anyway, just erase from our minds without even realising. We loved to spend time together when we could ,as he had his mum wanting him home at certain times and he would get bad tellings off. I know that people may say he shouldnt have let his mum stop us being together, but the point is he cares about his family and doesnt want to lose them. He always wants to please people and hates agruements altogether, he likes to keep the peace.

Anyway about my question, simply it is I just would like some advice on how I could find out more about whether he still loves me, as it has been a while now and things have changed in some ways.

I am very far away, living and working in Austria so it isnt like we could get back together straight away and he cares a lot about getting a good education. We sort of had an agreement back in 2007 about it being more of a pause on the relationship, than not being together again after he finished his education. But I dont know if that is going to happen anymore as I am confused as to how he feels, he isnt in a new relationship though and it doesnt seem like he is bothered with looking for a new girlfriend, as he is focusing on his education at university.

I know it isnt right to just come out and ask, as it will make things harder. Whatever he replies it would be difficult as we are far apart from each other. As well as the time not being right.
Really I just would like some advice I what I can do to make our friendship, (as it at )the moment stronger and how to maybe show that I care and love him without saying I love you. I know the best things are to be a great friend, but I like to know how I can express myself without making it sound too deep and directly that I am in love with him, if that makes sense.
I mean how we can maybe rekindle the love, if there is hope. We didnt talk much until about late last year but we have got back into writing emails to each other, just we are both busy with things, I work and he is studying. I know things are different to back then when we were together, but I am not one to just give up on things I care about deeply and truely.

Thank you to anyone that maybe able to help me somehow

Simple if your ex is still and love with you it would be proven through your ex actions..Actions always speaks louder than words. Just saying from my point view. and have a nice day

To break up because of his family, and because he was thinking long term shows his feelings werent too strong for you. Sometimes things are just better left in the past. If he loved you, dont you think he would have made attempts to contact you? I think your still living in the past, and you really do need to move on. If its meant to be, then fate will bring you two together.

sorry but no love is stronger then anything