A Word of Caution

[Khemorex]

I'm amazed that people can actually find true love through a video game, let alone the internet. I've read many stories, and I've seen it with my own eyes, that meetings online always seem to lead down a dangerous, deceitful road, sometimes for both parties involved.

i personally know 2 pairs who have met through an mmo and are now happily married together ^^
It is possible , but one shouldn't force it , or play a game with the mind to find true love (the only thing one would achieve that way is to go on someones nerves :P and possibly hurt urself) ^^

[Malicewolf]

Sorry but no pity here from my side. You clearly decided on your own terms to take it further. The thread you mention is clearly for normal EB search and not for "true-love" seekers who want to take it further then just the game.

But I honor your honesty, though shit happens.

No pity because she got the short stick of the draw in meeting someone? While yes, it is always good to proceed with caution when dealing with people over the internet, by no means would it be her fault. You could meet a sweet and lovable person online and then find they are a serial killer. The internet allows for anonymity, which means anyone can lie with ease. But it's not wrong to trust someone over the internet. I have plenty of friends I've met through games that I trust. And I don't expect the OP met them and then a week later decided to take things further. Usually there's a build up in-between that leads to the trust in the first place.

There is nothing wrong with looking for love through the internet, you just need to be a bit more cautious about some things. Heck, I've had real life relationships that ended with me fearing for my well being. It's the luck of the draw and by no means the OP's fault.

[Toguro]

Sorry but no pity here from my side. You clearly decided on your own terms to take it further. The thread you mention is clearly for normal EB search and not for "true-love" seekers who want to take it further then just the game.

But I honor your honesty, though shit happens.

Very untrue. Take a look at that thread. MANY hint "taking it further" with the relationship.

[Kosmos992k]

It's interesting to see just how many people have met there irl significant others in ffxi. Me being one of them thought I was the only one. Glad to see the other's represent.

I'm old school, I met my RL (and in-game) wife in Usenet, we were married in 2000...I've seen things work well for some and fall apart for others. Tread carefully folks.

[NaesakiAshwell]

I'm old school, I met my RL (and in-game) wife in Usenet, we were married in 2000...I've seen things work well for some and fall apart for others. Tread carefully folks.

I met my boyfriend through a friend who introduced me to a gamer group on facebook. As of September I will have been with him for 2 years, and this July he'll be staying with me for a full month.

[Ryuko]

Meh, I've been living with my boyfriend for six years (met 7.5 years ago on a different MMO). IT CAN BE SAFE AND GOOD.

But, here's my advice: do not date someone long distance UNLESS you have a backup plan, and don't waste so much time with someone you haven't met in person. That way, you can figure out real quick if you are the only one or if they have a little something on the side -- or if you're the little something on the side.

General safety tips when meeting Internet people:

Always, even if the person seems like a great person, BRING SOMEONE WITH YOU when you visit or they visit you.
Don't give them your address until you're comfortable and you have met.
Also, whenever meeting anyone from the Internet... meet at a public place, like an indoor mall or restaurant. Do not let them know where you parked.

Of course, these rules are a bit more lax if you have a mutual RL friend in common that introduced the two of you. But better safe than sorry.

[Seoulstar]

Wait, what?

You were trying to get an actual relationship from an Eternal Bond personals thread?

You have no idea how many potential relationships can start just by that..or in the OP case, how many harassment can start. Just because it's a virtual wedding does not mean it cant turn into something much bigger. Anyways OP you're right. There are some creeps that lurks around. It's nice to spread the world and keep others safe.

[Ryuko]

I am now suspicious that OP told us to Google her blog, but the only thing I can see is a very recent post with very vague phrasing. Lots of posts were deleted but are cached on Google. However, I get a redirect before I can see anything. I am particularly interested in the post about the private investigator.

[Roegadyn_Bear]

I'm old school, I met my RL (and in-game) wife in Usenet, we were married in 2000...I've seen things work well for some and fall apart for others. Tread carefully folks.

I met my significant otter (some of you will get this bad joke) in World of Warcraft before their first expansion, amusingly. The thing is, neither of us were actively looking for a relationship. It just happened over the course of time (and me being a pervert). I've been with my partner for 12 years already, 9 of those years spent online until we finally were financially stable and ready to move in together.

An online relationship takes a significant amount of time and effort to make it work compared to going out in the dating scene in person. Communication and trust is vital, as well as establishing what is okay and what isn't. I've lived with him for 2-3 months just to see if we'd be compatible together in person before any plans were made to eventually move in together, because talking to someone online is obviously very different than living with them.

I see so many people jump into the online relationship scene without realizing what it entails because they see the success stories and believe themselves to be the next one without taking a good look at the really bad stories. Crazy doesn't show itself initially. Jealousy, being unable to trust, obsession, and possessiveness will poison and ultimately destroy any relationship, as well as possibly hurting someone in the process.

You have no idea how many potential relationships can start just by that.

Problem is I do.

Most successful relationships just tend to happen naturally, or in some cases, by accident.

[NaesakiAshwell]

-snip-

Life is ultimately very weird and random and the most mundane things you like or do in your life can have such big repercussions.

Its like my boyfriend now, I would not even known his existence if I had not been a fan of Bioware games and more specifically Dragon Age. Had I not got involved on Bioware's forums I would not have made the various friends I did. One of whom I slowly befriended on facebook and after a while he introduced me to an FB group and then after a few months on there I happen to see a post from a member asking for anime recommendations.

My recommendations made me stand out to my bf and he messaged me, thing is cause of how FB works with people who aren't your friends it goes in that "spam" pile for messages so I didn't even know he had messaged me for 2 days so he almost chalked it up to me not being interested in chatting to him. Then for reasons I can't explain I randomly decided to check that "extra message folder" and saw his message and well, I'm almost 2 years later. We are only slightly long distance, a 30minute flight if that and as of July it will be our 3rd time being in person with each other and by September we'll have been dating 2 years.