Can internet relationships really work?

To answer your first question -- is it possible for a relationship started via the internet to actually work out? -- the answer is yes. I'm getting married next month to Mark, whom I met online and who is moving to the States from England next week (NEXT WEEK!!). Others on this board and elsewhere have made long-term successes of their OLRs, too.

To answer your second question -- can anyone relate to feeling hesitant to mention you met online? -- the answer is, again, yes. Even though my relationship with Mark has been a success, I still stumble in responding to the "How did you meet?" questions. For us, there is no way around that question, since he's from the UK and I'm from here -- there is no other way to say how we met without lying, which I won't do.

But my hesitancy comes more from my assumption that people will negatively judge us once they learn how we met. Even worse, it's hard not to care what people think, even though ultimately it shouldn't matter, especially if they're just colleagues or acquaintances. But that's human nature, I guess. :)

It sounds like you are starting off on the right track -- taking things slowly, spending time together in person, getting to know each other. Be a bit wary of the intense feelings just enough to keep smart about it, but not enough to dampen the excitement of this new relationship. In my opinion, once you've met in person and start spending time together in person, your relationship has moved out of the pure OLR phase. Start thinking of this new relationship in the same light you would any other relationship, where you met through more traditional means (school, work, friends, etc.). Don't let the "online aspect" of it throw you off -- at this point, it shouldn't really matter how you met, just whether you're enjoying each other's company.

~ Neat

Welcome to our board. I really hope you decide to keep posting, even after you get the advice you are looking for. I also hope you get the advice you are looking for. lol I would say you are really on the right track with this relationship. There is still that stigma about meeting someone on line. I myself am having trouble admitting to people how I met my guy, Mark. I met him on line, almost exactly the way you described your guy. I was just online, bored and here he comes a message. "Hello, how are you?" A normal chat it seemed, so I induldged in the conversation. He was polite and we simply had a nice chat. A few more chats and we decided to phone one another. I allowed him to phone me and he was very polite and agreed at anytime if I felt uncomfortable or anything, to just let him know and he would be more than happy to not call me again. He was just so nice, it was hard not to trust him. What he said was the truth. He has been nothing but honest and open with me ever since. We instantly connected. It is now 31/2 months and he is planning to move to the states for work, but in hopes to pursue this relationship we started on line. Now, when I tell people I met someone on line, their first repsonse is the dangers of it and all this. Well, I checked him out and know all he says is true. I have spoken to several family members and friends, and even his room mate.So, I think if you feel uncomfortable telling people right away, dont. It is really none of their business how yuo two met. Just keep it simple, say "We met through a friend at work", or simply through a friend. That would not be a lie, since your friend is your computer. lol If it someone that knows you, then they should understand when you tell them that you two met on line, but immediately took it off line. SO, all in all, you are now dating him for real, so it shouldnt really matter how you met him. I know, it is hard to tell people, but say what you want. You shouldnt have to defend your relationship with anyone. Goodluck with him and please keep us posted. We love to hear on line success stories!! We also, have a webpage dedicated to success stories and you can post pics of you and your man on there as a couple. So, stick around!!

Gail

Of course it can work!!! There are soooo many success stories here of people who have met the love of their lives online :) Its a different type of relationship, but it is still a relationship nonetheless :) Welcome to the board and let us know how things work out!!

Lindsay

Hi and welcome! Many people meet online and go on to have lasting relationships. It's not that unheard of anymore. I met my husband online and to be honest, it never bothered me to tell anyone how we met. Most thought it was pretty neat, and wanted to hear the whole story. Now though, there are more and more people meeting this way. Do a search on internet dating services, and see how many come up...then look at one of those sites and see how many people are there. With more and more people owning computers, it's an easy way to meet ppl.

My daughter has been seeing a guy that she met online...and most recently, my sister has met a guy online that she's now seeing. It doesn't seem weird or strange to me at all. It's only a way of meeting...just like meeting at a party...a church...a bar ...or through friends...the rest of the relationship is the same.