Mermaid, thanks so much for this thread. I feel as if someone understands. I'm truly touched by this post.
It's so heart-wrenching, isn't it? This feeling that you've found someone who's right.. not perfect, but as close as you think it gets. Metaphysically, the bond is there. It's so strong that when you two talk, it's almost like you two are there together.
It's when you haven't talked for a while that it begins to hurt. It hurts like hell, because you long to talk to this person... you don't get tired of it, no matter how much you two have been talking. You realize that this person lives basically half a world away. What are the chances? What are the freakin' chances. That you can fall in love with someone you've never even met before.
It hurts so bad because although you say you wish there were people like them around, you know it wouldn't happen. Even if you did meet someone that was similar, the bond wouldn't be as strong. The bond, the spark.. it's with this person. You don't know what it is about this person, but it doesn't matter. Although you try to say this to make yourself feel better, it ends up making you feel worse.
Should you start dating around where you live? Or stay with this one.. commit yourself to someone you believe in with all of your heart, but there is no tangible evidence, no proof? This is the dilemma, this is what haunts you. It's this issue... argh! You wish you had never thought about it... because, can you answer it?
Say you date around here. Suppose you get with someone. Would it work, or would you be thinking about the one who lives across the sea constantly? If you commit yourself, is that enough? Can it work? What if it just doesn't work out if you do move to the same place?
THIS IS IT.
It's such a crazy chance to take. The risk is enormous. Going for this could mean sacrificing all you have, and losing it. Losing it on this crazy gamble. But is it worth it?
It's so hard. I'm in much the same situation, except I'm only a few months too young to be able to make these decisions.. or take action on them, at least. I suggest you read my thread, "Is being happy all you can hope for?"... the similarities may be striking.
...In the end. Delve within your heart. Try your hardest to throw everything out but the very core. What is it that you're thinking? The pure, unaltered thoughts. You say you liked him before you saw what he looked like. In my situation (my situation is with a girl who lives in the Bahamas), it was the same. I felt the attraction, this spark before I saw what she looked like.
My intuition is saying yes. It's saying yes because by reading what you said, it's as if you're going through the same thing I am. Deep inside my heart, I'm not fully convinced that it is a yes. But every conversation I have with her is convincing me to say yes. It's as if even though you know you could be setting yourself up for so much hurt, you can't fight this attraction. It grows stronger and stronger, and there's nothing you can do to stop it.
I'd say set up a meeting. See if it is in real life like it is online. And it should be... I mean, if the bond is so strong online, just IMAGINE how it would be when you guys are right there, with each other. Close your eyes. Actually imagine it. Have you decided yet?
Please, please, PLEASE. PM me, get in contact with me through e-mail, or MSN, or AIM... I would really like to have a discussion with you about this. I think both of us would benefit greatly from it.
The best of luck to you.
-Robert
If a dream comes true... then is it still a dream?