You could say my dating style leans more on the cautious and conservative side. I am careful with who I let into my heart.

In the beginning, a man usually has to have a lot patience and resilience to overcome the big, massive walls I've put up as my fortress of safety. But every once in a while, someone gets through, and when he does, I open up my world to him.

If you've been following my articles, you will know that I was in a pretty bad breakup last year; one that left me hurt, betrayed and extremely afraid to open up my heart again to anyone. Getting hurt or disappointed in the quest for love just wasn't a risk I was ready to take.

Recently, however, I met someone new and taking that risk to open up my heart again was something I was starting to warm up to. He was an honest, high-integrity, considerate and beautiful person. He treated me with respect, was emotionally mature and his actions matched his good intentions.

But the timing in our lives, unfortunately, didn't align.

If there is one lesson I've learned from my past is that you can meet the right person at the wrong time - and it won't work.

Usually, when a relationship doesn't work out to the vision I hoped it would, I would feel disappointed and depleted. I would typically look back with regret thinking that I wasted my energy.

But what's different, is this time, I'm very grateful and happy for the experience. I can look back and say I'm glad I opened up my heart. Even though it didn't play out in the way I had thought it might, I feel healthy, grounded and grateful to have shared moments with someone who treated my heart with care and respect.

I believe that the people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Sometimes that reason comes in the form of a harsh, uncomfortable lesson. And sometimes, that reason comes in the form of a light, positive memory to remind you that there is good and hope out there.

I'm pretty thankful that this time, the lessons learned came in the latter form.

I used to think that endings were a bad thing, but now I believe that sometimes, endings are just new beginnings in disguise.