Love and Romance?

Sooner or later, there comes a time in everyone's life where they meet someone who makes their heart sing at the mere thought of spending time with them. Before computers came along, people lived much closer to the ones they loved. Now, it's become possible to meet people from anywhere in the world.

As a result, the strangest things can happen. Someone you game with may suddenly begin to become much more. When we're online playing MMOGs, we are in a fantasy world, after all, so it shouldn't be that surprising when it happens. However, special care needs to be taken should you find yourself falling for someone in a game.

For starters, you may be falling for real, while they simply see it as an extension of the game. In the end, you could wind up hurting, knowing that they never really cared in the first place. It's only one of many challenges facing those who put a little too much of themselves into the game.

Even should this not be the case and they really are falling for you, how much do you really know about them? I've had many friends go to meet someone they met online, with less than spectacular results. One thought he was meeting a beautiful, 21 year old girl. He arrived to be met by a heavy-set, balding guy in his 40s. I can only imagine what that must have been like for him, but I do know he was devastated by it.

There are also dangerous people out there. Rapists and murderers prowl, looking for targets, and the internet provides many. Should you be thinking of meeting someone in person, you should be sure to take steps to keep yourself protected and safe.

First, follow your instincts. If you arrive, and something doesn't feel right, take a step back and examine the situation. Find what's bothering you before there's a problem.

Before you even leave to meet them, make sure that you leave everything you know about the person with someone you trust, as well as where you'll be, and insist they do the same. Schedule check-ins with that person, with the instructions that, if you fail to check in by the appointed time, they are to call the police and request a welfare check. I know many people don't even like to consider it, saying it shows a lack of trust. In the end, however, until you look into their eyes and their soul, you can't be sure what truly lurks within them.

Always meet first in a public place, and remain there for a while. Not only does it give you time to get to know them, it can be a lot of fun. Amusement parks and malls are some of the best places to meet. They're very public, and provide lots of opportunities to get to know that special someone in safety and security.

Perhaps the harshest lesson of online romance is that, much like real relationships, they don't always work out. Things go wrong, and two people that fall madly in love online, may be unable to stand each other offline. Don't take it personally, these things just happen.

I imagine by now you're wondering why people bother when it can be so painful. Honestly, I have no idea. I too am guilty of giving my heart away to someone I met online on more than one occassion. By keeping in mind all of the above, I have been able to keep myself safe, healthy, and minimize the impact of the bad relationships.

Yet you cannot avoid the pain completely, nor the effects it has on you. In the end, you must keep hope alive. You must struggle to endure when you feel your heart singing out to that special someone you met online, and quash the fears and doubts as best you can. Avoid making any final judgements until you stand before them and gaze into their eyes. Much is mising in the virtual world that we would have in reality. Because of this, it can be easy to doubt their sincerity and integrity, but you must have faith.

Perhaps, when it's all said and done, you may be hurt, but don't shut out your friends if you are. Likewise, don't forget them should things work out well between you. After all, they've been there to support you the entire time. That shouldn't change just because you look into your beloved's eyes and see your love returned in their depths.

You've read all about it, so now you should hop over to our forums to chat about it! Share your own stories and experiences, or any thoughts you might want to on the subject. We're always open =)