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The ups and downs of online dating
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Serendipity
In the Fall of 1998, a powerful windstorm blew through the Pacific Northwest, demolishing my small island cottage as I lay sleeping. A week later, newly settled on the mainland, I received an e-mail from a stranger in Italy. A series of coincidences had led him to my personal web site where, after viewing my stories and photos, he contacted me. Though I was leery of online relationships, I was intrigued by this stranger and we began a correspondence.
We continued our e-mail exchanges, and I found myself opening up to him in a way that I had not done in years. I was anxious to meet him in person, though terrified I might discover that he had somehow deceived me with his eloquent writing.
Three months into our correspondence, he arranged a business trip to the States and I finally had an opportunity to meet him in person. Having experienced on-line deceptions in the past, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that his real-life persona matched (and even exceeded) my expectations.
Though advised by friends and colleagues not to act "rashly", I arranged to visit him in Italy and fell in love, not only with Diego, but also with his country and its people. Two months later, I quit my job and flew over to join him. Many ups and downs later, we are still together. I now split my time between the two countries, managing to combine my love for friends and family with my love for travel.
We continued our e-mail exchanges, and I found myself opening up to him in a way that I had not done in years. I was anxious to meet him in person, though terrified I might discover that he had somehow deceived me with his eloquent writing.
Three months into our correspondence, he arranged a business trip to the States and I finally had an opportunity to meet him in person. Having experienced on-line deceptions in the past, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that his real-life persona matched (and even exceeded) my expectations.
Though advised by friends and colleagues not to act "rashly", I arranged to visit him in Italy and fell in love, not only with Diego, but also with his country and its people. Two months later, I quit my job and flew over to join him. Many ups and downs later, we are still together. I now split my time between the two countries, managing to combine my love for friends and family with my love for travel.
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