Coming out of a long-term relationship, I decided I would try to meet new people by creating a Facebook account. In the “Are you Interested” application, you submit your picture and write a blurb about yourself and people tell you anonymously or not whether they are interested in you. Winks, chocolate cake, kisses, rings and more can be sent in messages to people you wish to talk to.
Matthew and I started talking little by little over the summer and as it came time for me to go to ASU we started talking more.
I was talking to him constantly, we texted all day and we messaged on AIM. He wakes me every morning with a phone call and calls to say goodnight every night. It reached the point where it was ridiculous to not be in love with such a great guy, but I always thought about the fact that I had never met him, so how could I love him so much? Because of that, I decided to fly to Texas and meet him for the first time.
I was so scared and nervous to meet him. I was afraid that after all the time we spent talking to each other online, he wouldn’t be happy with what he met. Walking off the plane was the most nerve-wracking experience. We thought that we were in the wrong spot, but then I saw his shoulder. All my feelings of worry and nervousness disappeared. We walked toward each other and gave immediate hugs, kisses and he gave me a rose. It was more than I had hoped for in meeting him.
We spent that night just talking, cuddling and watching movies. It was a great feeling being able to say goodnight to him and look in his eyes as I told him I loved him rather than in a text or webcam.
The next day I met his family, he showed me where he grew up and I got to hear all about his amazing childhood stories. The first date of going to a movie and dinner was amazing. Being able to be together with someone that I spent so much of my time online with was bliss itself.
My last day there we were able to watch a football game together. I’m not football savvy, but he sure is, I’m learning. We decided to go to the park for some kiddy time and swing, anything to avoid leaving, because this was perfect time spent together.
Leaving Texas was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Realizing that you have something so great and having to walk away from it for now is painful beyond belief. But we both look ahead to Christmas break where he gets to meet my family back in my hometown and experience what I did when I saw him. I felt I loved him when I saw him, I knew it when I had to leave and I wanted to stay.
Reach the reporter at bethanie.stalcar@asu.edu.
