Chixe

I met my hubby online like 12 years ago.

I know its cheesy. I used to not like to tell people.. but these days... its not so embarrassing because its more common.

I know a lot of great couples who met online. I wouldn't suggest running to myspace to find true love.. but if you do come across someone and there might be something there, how will you ever know if you don't give it a shot?

I met my ex online. We dated for two years. It was the best relationship I've had. I meet a lot of people online and we become real life friends and I've dated a few people that I've met online.

With that said...there are some crazy ones and I do have two stalkers. But, that's another note.

Time to delve deep into Cas' dark and seedy past with this note... Eek.

Having been there and done exactly that more than once I can say that:
Once it worked out very, very well and we actually made it work offline for some months.
Once it didn't work out quite so well as on meeting it was mutually decided the chemistry was purely text and we were better mates.
Once it ended up with me + stalker.

Perhaps I should have started with the stalker and ended up with the good stuff?

Either way, I don't actually regret any of it. There are few things worse than "what if's" in this life. Experience has taught me that online chatting is a good indicator of if you'll like someone offline. You can never totally ignore the mystery 'chemistry' factor, but if you never try, you never know.

I'd say so long as you are careful, safe, and aren't going into the meeting expecting the sun, the moon, and the stars, why not meet up? Relationships always change, regardless of offline/online - if you like someone online the chances are you're going to at least like them as a friend offline. And everyone could do with more friends, right?

two stalkers? Man.. idk what you have going on that I don't LOL.

You have to be careful but I met some of my bestest friends online. Had some serious relationships from it too. But to answer your question, if there is chemistry keeping it online would drive me insane. Gotta meet him and see what's up.

lol yea two stalkers. One of whom actually flew to NY without telling me and asked around about me until she showed up at my house.

Thanks for the advice. I got some reality checks from some guys. It helped.

I'd be really careful.

I had two stalkers and both originated from online. One in high school who I never even chatted with but he started stalking me in some sick way after reading my comments on someones online journal. The journal belonged to a guy who he happened to dislike for some reason I never really understood, but this dude started following our conversation through comments and then he all of a sudden knew who I was, where I was and one day what I was wearing, I started to get sick emails and phone calls We lived in the same state but nowhere near each other. It's more complicated than that but there are crazy people out there who do not seem crazy at first.

The second time was when I first got to college, and although I could never prove the stalker originated from online and the stalking went much further starting with phone calls I am certain it was from online knowledge of me.

I still wouldn't be inclined to meet up with anyone that I had been chatting with but I don't tend to get romantic with people I chat with and chat seldom anyway.

I've met only one of the people that comment my current blog in person so far and that was back when he was commenting on my old dead journal and it wasn't for dating purpose he was also meeting another friend of mine at a lacrosse game.

Even before my recent change in lifestyle, I've always taken the online to offline transition pretty smoothly. I guess it's the fact I don't really care about it. There will be nice people, there will be bad people, but at least for me there will be people...and I like to meet new people and see where that goes.

Of course, it's not without making a few mistakes and gaining a stalker or 2. But alls well and we learn.

Are you going from straight online text chat to face-to-face? There is the phone. Personally I will not meet a guy unless I've held a late night conversation with him and I do mean that for sex (naughty people). House is quiet, work day is over, might have a glass of wine, barriers are down - how does the conversation go? Is the vibe still there? When you are into someone there should be a natural instinct to hear their voice. If I get resistance on that, I'm out and I won't rush meeting because I've had my share of stalkers

Regarding the post you linked, a phone conversation would be a good time to bring it up. It's not face to face where saying something like that to a stranger could add pressure to a new relationship and being on the phone, you can gauge emotion but you both have an out (not contacting each other again) if it is not something you want to pursue. Maybe it's just me but if it's not something I wanted to do the thought of sitting face to face with the person and not appear like an ass would be tough.

If the chemistry has been developing through back and forth chatting, then yes I would go ahead and do it. I met a great person through MySpace and up to now, she's a big part of my life.

I met my girlfriend online. She's the best thing to ever happen to me.

We haven't chatted on the phone yet, just through instant messaging. I think tomorrow I'll just play it as I won't be online and see if he musters up the courage or whatnot to call me. He gave me his number first, and I was a little surprised because he sounds kind of shy, but I haven't taken up the initative to call him. However, I did tell him to call me tomorrow.

Phone is the next logical step. Everyone's said pretty much the standard safety messages and things, so I won't go into that. But, if you are feeling a vibe, I say try to get to the phone almost right away instead of building up a fantasy in your head about this person, and then as soon as safely possible, meet them if you feel there might be a romantic connection.

Safety first, but as someone who's done the dilly-dallying of chatting with someone endlessly and then meeting them only to find no in-person chemistry, best to transition quicker to a real life meet-up to cut out any of that unnecessary build-up.

Oh, and I met my current bf online. :-)

Shy guys give their number because it's easier to give the number than call. Girl, call him tomorrow. Can't wait on a shy guy to call.

Thanks Tyme!

Yea, don't wait for a shy guy to call. I'm super shy and whenever I have to call a girl I get super nervous. Like...start shaking can't breathe nervous. But it makes it a little less nerve racking to have the girl call me.