Dear heavyheart:
You did the right thing to respect his decision. It is the right thing and the wise thing to do, as well as to learn from the experience.
I think you can “love like that” again because you are able to love like that. If you learn from the experience and “become a better person” for it, then you can love even better, in the future.
Glad you posted this update and I hope to read from you again.
anita