Online Relationship – IV (Be wise)

(continuation…)

Now we have gone through introducing yourself and being truthful to investigating the interested party to being picky, we’re now down to our last installment. How can you know he is serious and really wants to pursue the internet relationship into something more personal that may eventually lead to marriage? Here are some good tips (this is more for the women).

He calls – He’d want to hear your voice on the line, not just your typing. Even a voice call on the internet is still so impersonal. He will make an effort to spend on long distance calls just to hear you believe me. This could mean he is seriously considering this relationship. When he finds out you’re sick or a disaster has happened where you live, he’d want to know how you are, he would ring you up.

He sends things/gifts/cards – He wants to make you happy by providing some of your needs. He wants to send you souvenirs, some things to remember him by, there is not much difference between an offline relationship where the guy buys you flowers and chocolates and does that to make you happy, and an online one except the distance. If he offers to send you something, accept. It’s one of the ways men love, by providing. But please, don’t abuse it.

He remembers your conversations and special occasions – given that you haven’t been repeatedly reminding him it’s your birthday or post it on Facebook for all to greet you. He recalls the conversations you’ve had three weeks ago and follows up on the matter. This means he takes notes and listens to what you say, this shows he is interested in you and what’s happening in your life. He leaves or sends you messages a lot, not replies to conversations you have initiated but rather he takes the time and effort to keep in touch and let you know what’s happening in his life and wants to know how yours is going.

He has plans to come and visit you - spend money on a plane ticket, risk being mugged in the Philippines just to meet you in person. Isn’t that sweet? Wouldn’t that really show his sincerity? If you’ve been in a relationship with someone overseas and it’s been years and he still hasn’t come nor has plans to come, I’m sorry but it could be a sign that he never will and your relationship is never getting off the internet. It’s just really online. If he says he can’t afford it then he shouldn’t have pursued you or anyone across the ocean if he knew right from the beginning he doesn’t have the means to visit.

Unless you are very rich and can afford to fly not just once but every time you want to be with him, this love affair is doomed. 

CAUTION:
Engagement - Now he may have done all above and before he flies in he wants to get engaged online. This may sound really wonderful but it’s really stupid. Engagement is a commitment to marry someone and how can you commit to marrying someone you haven’t even met? He could be smelly, rude, loud, has annoying habbits that you don’t see even in videochat and will only discover if you spent time with him in person. So please, be wise, don’t get engaged online. You deserve a personal proposal and the guy, if he is well and truly a gentleman, with genuine intention and thinks highly of you, should agree that you deserve it and will do just that.

Meeting in person – Please, take precaution when you meet the first time. No matter how long you’ve known him online, no matter how great it is that he has come all the way from the other side of the globe to see you, be wary still. Don’t meet alone. And when you meet, observe and be conscious of his ways, is he respectful? Don’t dismiss thoughts that make you uncertain if you really like/love him.

I would recommend you introduce him to family and friends and have them spend time with him. Maybe they can say a thing or two about him and give your self time to think about their thoughts about your foreigner boyfriend/girlfriend. It wouldn’t hurt to know what they think.

Before my husband flew in from Melbourne for the first time, we agreed we will not get engaged online but we will meet  first and make sure what we felt online was real and the same in person. We also agreed that instead of thinking of reasons why we should marry, we’d think of reasons why we shouldn’t,  the obstacles we might face, and if we still want to be together, then we will marry, and so we did.

Pray and ask God for guidance and direction. Be wise with a heart, love but with wisdom for Love and marriage are both beautiful when it is right.

I hope you find the right one.

Also read:

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Comments

Kevin said…
Good thoughts here. My wife and I talked daily on Skype for a month or so. But I wanted to go meet her to be sure we could relate well "in person."
Thess said…
Yep Kevin. It's important to meet in person and see the rapport and all. Thanks for the comment. Hello to Cris.