no shes still single, and she has always kept me in her life despite having a bf, she had a couple short relationships for a while, and she always let her bfs know I wasnt going anywhere.

I wrote her a message today just kinda laying out as best I could what I was feeling, It was hard to type because everything was just getting so jumbled up inside my head.

I dont know what will become of it, but its like I told her, Im tired of pretending that nothing is wrong, and that im tired of having our relationship reduced to nothing more than the occasional IM window or comment.

We shall see what happens I guess.

The more things change....

The same exact thing happened with me except at the point where you are now, I realized I not only missed her dearly - I was totally in love with her. But as others mentioned, in college you change and grow and move on, and once I told her how I feel I never saw her again. I guess it wasn't mutual <duh >

Not that thats a bad thing, I'd have never met my wife taking any other path thru life. And I love her even more. Don't feel like Job; there is a soulmate for you too. But you have to get off your can and meet people to have find her.

Enjoy the adventure.

" I try to get out, but they keep draggin' me back in."

I don't mean to be the lone disenter or what-not, and these guys are definitely right about people changing and the value of moving on. But it sounds like you are very unclear about where you are in this deal.
My recommendation is that you do indeed write a letter. Figure out exactly what you're feeling and tell her, and ask her what she feels in return. You have to clarify your feelings and the relationship before you do anything, or you could make a major mistake.
You've had a close relationship for a long time, and it would be horrible if you pulled the plug because of a temporary dis-connect.