I first met her about 8 years ago. I met her online in a video chat room. I had met other women in chat rooms, but none that I ever really connected with. You see I've always felt a tad bit silly visiting those sites. I even assumed that I wouldn't meet anyone that I would like, although I realized that that view was indeed a bit hypocritical. Rather, I would lurk and read the dialogue, but it quickly bored me.
However, this woman was different. She was quick-witted, she was bright and she shared that same cynical view I had about what the heck we were even doing online in this chat room. I should add that she was very attractive.
We both had young families and we both were devoted parents. I think we both even felt guilty about being online and talking with each other.
You have to understand, this was the early period of online relationships. AOL had chat rooms with exotic sounding names like "Hot Tub" and "Thirties Looking for Love". Many online aficionados had probably found themselves in a chat room at one time or another flirting with someone of the opposite sex. (Or at least hoping they were flirting with whoever someone purported to be....). But for most, these conversations were rather empty and could even leave you with a sad feeling.
As I got to know this woman I found myself with one of the fastest growing crushes I could ever have imagined. I couldn't believe that it was happening. I looked forward to our almost daily chats. I found myself finding ways to be online when she could be. I even took days off from work so that we could talk unencumbered. Otherwise, our chats would often be interrupted with our daily responsibilities of family and mealtimes and tucking our children into bed.
Fortunately, the warmth that I felt was two-way. Our emails and our conversations became more romantic, more fantasy-ridden and more sexual. I couldn't wait to check my computer each morning to read her over night email and I would daydream about what I would write back almost constantly.