Long distance love is what you get when you take two complete strangers, install them with a vivid imagination and an optimistic nature, and wire them electronically across 2,500 miles of the World Wide Web.

Here are two people who were moments ago complete strangers now talking passionately and listening intently—communicating with each other solely on an intellectual level because—let’s face it—there’s no physicality to distract them. And for those intimacy-challenged among us, is this not the all-time relationship of choice? You bet it is! 

But, like anything else, there are the inevitable drawbacks as well as the draws. In case you have never been in this particular boat, let me paint you a general picture of what may or may not lie in store for you:

The Drawbacks (Let’s get these out of the way first):

1. He/she lies about his age and/or touches up his photo and/or bio.
2. Intellectual chemistry between you turns out to be stronger than the physical.
3. One or both of you refuses to relocate for the other.
4. The infrequency of time spent together diffuses the intensity of your initial passion and over time you may not be inclined to re-ignite it.
5. There is the missing magic of being able to reach out and touch that other person. Ultimately, it is up to you or your partner to proactively seek a means of eliminating the distance that separates you.
   

The Draws (Saving the best for last):

1. Here is a person you would never have met but for the technological miracle of the Internet.
2. Your diverse backgrounds tend to broaden your mutual horizons, and make each of your more exciting to the other. You bring something new and dynamic into each other’s lives.
3. Whichever is the truer statement: “Out of sight, out of mind,” or “Distance lends enchantment,” you would be wise to choose the optimistic side of the latter, as it shows you are willing to work for the happiness you have been offered, and are therefore more likely to achieve it.
4. Distance between you tends to give you time to get to know the other without the issue of sex prematurely clouding your judgment.
5. You may not think you want to uproot yourself from your present lifestyle, but if it were so perfect as you argue it is, why are you on the Internet seeking out someone from another city or state—maybe another country? As our days grow shorter, we can only be sure we’ve got this particular lifetime, so why not embrace any chance for positive change that comes your way? Particularly one that offers love and a stimulating new way of life?