For those trying to reconnect with a past love...how do you get over the situation of them breaking up with you and them saying they don't want you back?

I decided to text my love today, because he was on my mind. I only had the intention of reaching out to him and ask if he was doing well, and then drop it at that...but then he started a conversation about old shows we are watching. We joked a bit, and then he stopped (I'm guessing because it was around the time of him getting off of work and going home)

Needless to say, I've felt light hearted and giddy, and happy he initiated conversation. I don't want to text him back and force a conversation on him, but I admit I'm trying to stave off the letdown of him not texting back, and turning my attention elsewhere.

But...just one conversation, and my heart is soaring and wanting to get back in to attracting us rekindling friendship and leading to a relationship. Him initiating conversation, I let myself feel that he is interested in talking to me, happy to hear from me, and hoping/visualizing that now I'm on his mind, no matter what he's doing, and that he feels good after sharing some jokes and laughs with me.

Every time I start to hope, I'm reminded of him telling me, after seeing each other face to face a couple years ago, that we would never get back together again. And my heart and hope and faith hits a wall and sends me tumbling down. How can I get over this? What perspective can I take?