everything is a rebound, no?

I was in a discussion with a friend of mine, a very good friend of mine, and I was talking about a new guy I was seeing.  But the story behind it all is that the 'new guy' isn't so much a 'new guy' because I have known him for a LOOOOOOONNNNGGGGGGG time, like LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG.  We sort of grew up together, went to school together, finished school together, and still live in the same area now.  We have watched each other move through relationships, in and out of tough situations, supported each other, gone through periods without a lot of connection, and gone through times where we would talk almost daily.
So, here we are...to make a long story short, he has always joked about us dating.  Like the movie 'Harry Met Sally', he has always thought we would be great together if we would just give it a chance.  I was always on the fence because I didn't want to ever 'ruin' such a good friendship by dating and having someone get hurt if it didn't work out.  Also, I guess he annoyed me in ways that a brother would or a best friend does and I just didn't think that would work in a romantic relationship.
So, cut to the end of story...I decided to give it a chance a couple weeks go.   And funny, but it actually seems like a real possibility, I see him in a different light, I see him, or am getting there, as more of a romantic guy, a guy who can take care of me, look after me, a guy where in the end, I could end up changing his diapers and pooping with the door open ( I know, TMI :) )
But, anyway, I was talking to a friend of mine, telling him the story, and he wasn't negative but he was like, 'jennnnnn, c'mon, don't use him as a rebound, it is just a rebound, and if it wasn't you would have been with him a long time ago...'
I don't know?  I really don't.  But they say timing is EVERYTHING in relationships, and maybe the timing is right?  Or, it just seems that everyone, everything that comes after something, out of something, IS a rebound.  Isn't my entire life a rebound to something from my past?  Every step we take, we can trace it back to a reason why we took the step, and the dots all connect in someway, always back to the past.  So, rebound, shreebound, it's all the same.  A rebound could be the ultimate person for us, it could be what we need...doesn't everyone need a 'rebound'?  It's another beginning, another possibility for another let down, another heartbreak, or, possibly, another soul mate???  Give me more rebounds!!!

~Jenn