In my mid 30’s & New to dating ! Haven’t been single since my early 20’s help!

Been with the same man now since I was 21 years old! I have children with him but we are now separated. I feel like it’s a whole new world now and I don’t know where to start. I reconnected with a man from my hometown, he works in another province so we talked for about 5 weeks then when he came back to visit we met up and spent a few days together, he went back to work, and is gone for another 5 weeks. We talk all day off and on on work breaks etc. he told me he doesn’t want a relationship now and he knows I have a lot going on with my ex etc. he said he just wants us to take it slow, we’ve both been burned in the past. He tells me daily that im the best and that he can’t wait to spend more time with me when he gets back, but I can’t help but repeat that line to myself “I don’t want a relationship right now let’s take it slow”. This means I should run!? But what if he really means he just wants to take it slow? Or does he mean no relationship with me like ever! I plan to ask in person when he’s back but im looking for your thoughts now. Some context, we have all the same interests, he calls me ever since day twice (lunch break and before bed). Is this what the people call love bombing these days?