Getting back together advice?

If you want more detailed information on my circumstances, check here:

https://www.7cups.com/forum/SurvivingBreakupsDivorceSupportCommunity_56/SurvivingBreakupsDivorce_46/Gotovermyexuntiltonight_18187/

Now more relevant to this specific thread topic:I miss my ex. He (FtM) knows it, in all likelihood. We've talked a lot about getting back together since we broke up seven months ago. In September-ish he said he still saw a future with me, but has since retracted that statement. I let the idea go for a bit and we stayed good friends for a while and it was all fine. Early January I did a semi-grand gesture and brought up us getting together again. He declined but said he appreciated the gesture. A few weeks later he said that had I done what I did on that day but seven months ago instead, he wouldn't have broken up with me. So, yeah.

I want him back dearly, at (almost) any cost. Reasons for breakup include me getting too comfortable in our relationship and not putting as much effort into being affectionate and showing my love as I had used to. Since the breakup I've been dealing with plenty of guilt over what I'd done and have taken the steps in my personal life to ensure that those problems shouldn't exist in any other future relationship. It just so happens that I still feel like I'm in love with him and want to be with him. He has noticed and pointed out to me that I've made positive changes in my life that he approves of. And I think I've only been getting better.

We have had one brief conversation recently that went well. Other than that we haven't spoken in weeks, but we left on good terms. We haven't had an argument or been outright upset with each other in a couple of months. However, since we're in a weird little-contact situation right now, I don't want to just enter his life again out of the blue.

But my question is when? And how? I don't want to wait too long for fear of A) Him forgetting all about me or B) Him finding someone new and starting a relationship with them. I thought maybe during my spring break next month I can come back to our hometown and try to meet up for something casual to reignite our friendship at least. Or I could even wait until summer break from school (with maybe light casual chatter online until then) but waiting that long seems awfully painful.

At the moment I'm relatively convinced and settled on the idea of trying to get back together. So, I'd preferr not getting advice telling me I shouldn't do this (unless you can also offer specific reasons why not).

So, have you ever gotten back with an ex? How did you decide it was right for you? How do I convince him I'm worth another chance?What can I say/do to show my ex that I'm a better person but still have the same traits he liked about me before? How much longer should I wait before "making a move"? What signs should I look for?

tl;dr: Want ex back. What do?