Just came across this while surfing the web today.....thought it mite be of interest to some........lets hear hear thoughts on this.....

Dear Trish,
After months of false starts, I think Iýve found The One. Based on her profile, our emails and phone conversations, she seems perfect for me. Thereýs just one hitch. I haven't even met her yet and I'm head over heels. Am I nuts?
- Head Over Heels, Orlando

Dear HOHO,
Are you nuts? Maybe. But maybe not. In a January 2004 Match.com survey, of the married people who met on Match.com, 11 percent said they were in love prior to meeting face-to-face ý a love-before-first-sight rate more than twice that of married people who didnýt meet online (5 percent). While one out of nine isnýt a huge percentage, itýs high enough for me to steer clear of calling you crazy. You could be one of the 11 percent!

So while you can stop questioning your sanity, you probably shouldnýt stop questioning altogether. Being overly cautious is one thing, throwing caution to the wind is quite another. If you are actually in love with this woman, here are some things you should consider:
It could be the real thing. And if it is, chances are your courtship will be short. Thatýs because more Match.com couples tend to date for shorter periods before getting married than offline couples. Almost three quarters of Match.com couples who marry do so after dating a year or less compared with only one third of other couples. Be prepared to move quickly, but donýt feel obliged if something doesnýt feel right. Every relationship is different and once youýve found the perfect match, thereýs no need to rush to the altar unless you simply donýt want to wait. But thereýs no need to create pressure where none exists. Temper your exuberance with the patient feeling of inevitability. If youýre really in love now, your feelings are unlikely to wane overnight. Resist constant evaluation by remembering that youýve got all the time in the world to make a final commitment.


It could be premature. While you may be sure, she may not be. At least, not initially. Arrange to meet her as soon as possible, but keep the date casual ý coffee or lunch. And donýt push her to return your feelings ý or your intensity ý from the outset. Allow her time to get used to your early and strong feelings for her, and to let her own feelings develop for you.


It could be unrequited. Love would be much easier if everyone we fell for fell for us. But it doesnýt work that way. So, keep your hopes in check. Donýt go too far ýround the bend for this woman until youýve met and gotten to know each other better. Allowing for the possibility that it wonýt work out isnýt pessimistic ý itýs realistic. And it can help ease the blow if she rebuffs you.


It could be a mistake. Thereýs an outside chance that you wonýt have the necessary chemistry when you actually meet this woman offline. And although quality of character is the attribute that makes us fall in love with someone, even the most compatible personality isnýt strong enough to overcome a lack of sparks. If itýs comfortable, try being friends. That way, you keep this great person in your life ý and she might be able to introduce you to some of her girlfriends, women who may be a lot like her but different enough for you to find exactly what youýre looking for.
I canýt stress enough the importance of keeping your feelings to yourself for the near-term, lest you scare her off. While some women might find your instant devotion a turn-on, most think that a reaction so strong so early is a little scary. Because you donýt know her very well, she may interpret your enthusiasm as desperation ý or, at the very least, impulsiveness or bad judgment ý if you jump in too quickly. She may even think youýre obsessive, and youýll be hard-pressed to get her to change her mind about that.

Managing your expectations is also crucial. Yes, youýre pretty sure about your feelings, but itýs still early in the game and anything can happen. Here are some tips for keeping yourself on an even keel:
Finding new love is exciting and itýs normal to feel a little giddy. Avoid flying too high by remembering that you havenýt even met her yet and that a physical connection is a vital aspect of a successful relationship.


Get in touch with your feelings. Investigate your other emotions around this development and try to develop a deeper understanding of why youýre feeling the way you are. Get comfortable with your emotions ý particularly before you share them with her.


Love is blind, so itýs easy to overlook red flags that could signal deal-breaking flaws. If you feel like sheýs perfect, you need to scale back and assess her more accurately. After all, nobodyýs perfect, right?