I liked his profile - for starters it was really funny, and had me in stitches by the end. It was creative and expressive, a bit self-deprecating and a bit sarcastic, just right for me.

That and his pictures were great; he was very good looking but clearly didn't take himself too seriously. I sent him an email in response to his profile, and it was full of quirky little references to his answers and postings. I guess he liked it because he answered quite quickly and that's how we began emailing.
 

I can't describe the excitement with which I opened my inbox every morning. His emails were enchanting. Beautiful, well-written, full of humor and interesting details. I would spend hours composing a reply and we began to exchange several emails a day. How I looked forward to those.

Then we began chatting on skype. the first chat was... incredible. We were on the same wavelength completely. I was so nervous, I was shaking and blushing and my stomach was doing backflips throughout. But it was perfect! I couldn't have hoped for more.

And then one day: WHAM! He's married. He wrote me a long and somewhat winded email explaining his situation with his wife. They are separated but not divorced, and he no longer has any feelings for her or even contact with her, but I felt the bottom drop out of my world nonetheless. For a few hours I was crushed. But I was ready to keep an open mind. After all, this was a man I had just 'met', and we lived on different continents! What rights or claims did I have!

It paid off. We became increasingly more involved. Emails started flying back and forth, along with pictures, and we'd chat for hours. It always felt like just a few minutes though! I felt like he was becoming my best friend, my lover, my partner.

He's sweet and understanding. He's fun to 'be' with. He's gentle and charming. And when I don't get an email from him or when he isn't around on chat I feel terribly disappointed.

I don't know how much he feels for me. He certainly seems to reciprocate but I have mixed emotions. I don't know if I've fallen in love or not- I know I have a huge crush on this man, and sometimes I feel a bit overwhelmed by how in synch we are and how quickly I've become comfortable around him. I spend my days thinking of him and look forward to the times I can spend with him. And at times I can't help but to think how perfect this man is for me.

Yet I'm cautious about telling him the extent of my feelings. This all started very recently and I need time to see what happens, if my feelings will fade or grow over time.

I'm going to Europe in the summer of 2007 and we've arranged to meet, even jokingly making plans on where to go and what to see. I can't wait. Meanwhile I await his every email and every chat with bated breath.

Hopeful and giddy,

"Boods"