My thoughts on this matter have changed dramatically over the past year or so. I've never really understood how anyone could possibly allow themselves to become emotionally attached to someone they have never met in the flesh, but my opinions have definately done a complete 360.
But what the internet giveth, the internet also taketh away.
You may have the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life, and from all over the globe who a few short years ago you would never have had the chance to have in your life at all, yet at the same time, it brings people into your lives who you click with automatically, yet you have little or no hope of ever meeting. Despite all your good intentions, you suddenly find yourself doing the 'if/but/if only' type scenario that can quite often lead to nothing but heartbreak.
But I have seen it succeed with my own eyes. A friend of mine from Scotland actually met a Aussie guy online, came out to this country, found that the chemistry was just as strong offline as on, and now 5 years later is married with a little girl and deliriously happy.
So it can happen :)
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Not in this lifetime, the next, or the previous