is it worth it to put yourself out there for the possibility of love?

i met this guy,and i fell in love with him. ive never been so attracted or drawn to anyone in my life. from the moment i met him, he was different, and i never stopped thinking about him. in fact, i had a boyfriend for 6 years and he was the only thing that ever got me to stop thinking about my ex. my new guy and i never had a relationship. we never went on a date. we worked together, and he was technically my boss. he always stopped by to talk to me. i would wait for him. get all excited just to talk to him for a few moments.
he hired me to do some work for him, it turned out great, he loved it. i got paid, we hung out at the bar. we had amazing conversations and i just loved being around him. i moved and stopped working at that place, and i didnt see or talk to him for 3 months.
we reconnected, and he told me he was in love with me and thought about me everyday. we hung out a few times, but i moved across the country for work. he also moved to the same coast as i, but the opposite side. his was for family reasons.
before i left i gave him back the money i charged him for the work i did. i wrote him a letter telling him that i love him, and i got his name tattooed on my arm. he tried to get in touch with me, but i ignored him, because i did not want him to give me the money back.
i think about him constantly. i miss him so much. i dont even know what i miss, we didnt have anything. i just want to interact with him sometimes, im ok being friends. hes older than me, has kids, an ex wife, and bipolar disorder.
i recently graduated from college. i have nothing tying me down anywhere. should i go out and search for him, while im still young and uninhibited? have i already set myself up for a lifetime of heartache?
ive been thinking about it.... do i need to go find him?