Hi-
im not sure really where else to get advice because this story is unconventional. And long, so I’m so sorry for this book.
i met a man named Nick* on a… naughty website. I don’t want to give too much information. But, everything was anon, and it was just *fun*. We chatted on a forum for a little, and then took it to DM’s on this site. It ends up turning into friendly conversation, and we move off the site to discord where we both have alternative names and it’s still anon. Discord platform was just better.
We talk for weeks. Slowly I learn that he’s also 27, and we have stuff in common. A couple months go by, and he finally gives me his real first name and a selfie. He’s cute! I do the same.
Our unusual way of meeting and the dynamic of how it was, changed to friendship. After a few months, he admitted that he’s never met someone with the same interest, etc. he gives me his Snapchat (this isn’t going to be a catfish story, I swear haha). We Snapchat frequently but I only know his first name still. Eventually he tells me his full name, and he gives me his Facebook. He respected boundaries, and told me I was not obligated to give him my name, or any personal information.
But, after heavily vetting his Facebook, I do. We add each other. It’s been a year and some change now since we have “met”.
I live in Maine (US) and he lives in Perth (Australia). So, I think we both never thought it would go any further than a nice chat.
Well, our discord video chats we do once every few weeks turns into once a week, which turns into daily.
yall, I am desperately in love with this man. I know it sounds insane. Because i was with my ex for 5 years. I know there’s so much to learn about someone, and online is only a small part. But, I KNOW it. I’ve never shared so much of my heart and soul and thoughts to anyone.
If someone were to ask me over a year ago if you could fall in love over the internet, I would’ve laughed. Because it’s a crazy concept.
We’re both not socially awkward, we have friends, we both have successful jobs, we’re both attractive. It’s not like I don’t know how to make a connection in real. That’s how I know i truly want this man.
we recently exchanged care packages, and it was the most thought gift ive ever received, I sobbed.
So here is my dilemma- I’m terrified. We both have admitted that we want more at some point. We started planning a meet up depending on how much time he can get off (recently started a new job. Not much PTO). We were trying to meet halfway, but his work schedule is intense right now. He did offer to pay for my plane ticket if I flew to Aus, and I would just rent the Airbnb.
(I promise he’s not a serial killer).
for whatever reason, today I’m having the overwhelming urge to just push him away because I am so scared. Because after 5 years of dating someone, my ex NEVER has made me feel like this. And no, my ex wasn’t crappy. He wasn’t a bad boyfriend and this Nick* isn’t a rebound coping method.
What do I do? Does someone want to talk some sense into me? Should I just end our situationship and just deal with the heartbreak? I haven’t talked about this with anyone because I know everyone will think I’m nuts. My best friend knows, and she told me to go for it.