need advice/perspective about a girl i cant get out of my head

first off she’s a good friend of mine’s ex, but he is married now. ive told her i loved her a few years ago, but she told me she doesnt think about me romantically, but she was also apparently dating or at least interested in someone else at the time. we always wish each other happy birthdays. she is single now and has a kid and we’ve started to text again. i sometimes feel like she changed her view of me based on our text interactions. we have a lot in common and can really relate with eachother. am i crazy to think this or should i not even try because im trying to force it? if i should move on, which is what im leaning towrds, is it messed up to just fade out of conversation or should i be up front and tell her how i feel?