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I meet a friend after years of waiting. What should I tell her:-

  1. I had been wanting to meet you for a really long time

  2. I have been wanting to meet you for a really long time.

and Can I replace the word wanting with longing??

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Had been wanting expresses a past event that is no longer occurring in the present, meaning you no longer want to meet the person.

Have been wanting expresses a past event that is still occurring in the present.

You would say:

I have been wanting to meet you for a long time.

You could replace wanting with longing, however, longing is more intense than wanting and may sound a little odd. It's not as common in everyday speech.

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I had been wanting would be something you would use when explaining to a friend about your previous 'wanting' of something, but not necessarily something you are still 'wanting' today. Example:

Katie, I had been wanting (in the past) for us to be lovers until the day we die, but now I am indifferent since you cheated on me!

I have been wanting is something you are 'wanting' in the present or in actively recent times. Example:

Katie, I have been wanting to tell you something for weeks now. Will you pop that zit on your forehead? It's creeping me out, yo

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