I met this wonderful woman on the internet. We have been texting, emailing, and talking on the phone for a couple of months now. She is expressing everything that my heart desires.

I am reminded of how Abraham sent off his servant to find a bride for Isaak to land he came from...some 500 miles and a 4 week journey by cammel. Isaak and Rebekah had a wonderful relationship as far as the scriptures tell us... and they never met each other before.

So, this woman lives 2600 miles from me... I do met and emotional need she has-communication and validating feelings. I can met her need for security.

My question is, how successful are these relationships that end up with marriage? What kinds of things can we do to ensure the success of the marriage?

I am thinking of waiting at least a year before I ask here to marry me to be sure that the Lord is in this relationship.

Being I am new to this forum, can anyone tell me what all the abreviations mean; i.e., FOW? ect... Or at least where to find a key to answer what these abreviations mean.

Thanks,

Welcome, CoG. When are you planning to meet this woman in person?

My situation isn't EXACTLY like yours, but it is similar.

I met my husband in person, and we managed to see each other every month or so once we were engaged. Apart from that our relationship was long distance until we got married. He was in his hometown with his family, working and going to school, and I was 400 miles away getting my education.

Like you, we spent a lot of time talking on the phone, texting, messaging, etc. We emailed and talked every day. Now, you can use skype to actually see one another while talking. Skype is great, we use it to keep DD in touch with her grandparents and aunts/uncles. We also did 'movie nights' over the phone. We'd put in the same movie, press play at the same time and watch it with each other on the phone so we could talk while watching the same thing - kinda silly but it was a fun 'date' for us.

So despite being separated for all our courtship, so far we've had a successful, happy, loving marriage. Going on about 5 1/2 years.

What helped is that we have very similar desires, goals and dreams for our life. We were able to talk honestly and openly through our courtship about our feelings on marriage, religion, child rearing, finances, etc. and had a willingness to negotiate when our ideas didn't quite match up.

We also made an effort to see one another in person as much as we could. We managed it every 4-6 weeks.

A key thing, as well, and something I'd suggest to you, is when you do meet her, ask to meet her family. See how she interacts with them. She how they interact with her. That can tell you a lot about her personality.

So to answer your question: long distance relationships CAN be successful, if you have two people communicating openly and honestly about who they are, who they've been and what they want for the future, and if those two people have the willingness and ability to resolve their conflicts.

When you think you're getting to the proposing stage, I'd consider sharing the Marriage Builder concepts with her and see what she thinks of them. Until then, I'd try to spend as much time with her as possible, getting to know her and letting her get to know you.

I am going to meet this person face to face in March... I am flying in to see her. We have planned to go to her church, I want to meet her brother, and she lives with her sister. We both love Harley-Davidsons and I am involved in a Christian Motorcycle ministry. She loves to ride...so that is where the first connections was...I will be renting a bike, weather permitting, and we plan on spending sometime toghter.

I have read Dr. Harleys books, "His Needs/Her Needs" and "Love Busters."

This woman and I are going through the 5 Languages of Love at the moment but I have on the radar to go through "His Needs/Her Needs" next. I find that we can read a chapter then talk about it via email and phone.

For more information I am 54 and she is 40... We have both been married twice... I read these books by Dr. Harley in 98 or 99 and then married... but I found out that it takes two to work together to make a marriage work.. I am a little cautious at this point when it comes to marriage.

We both love the Lord and she has never had a man that will pray with her or read and talk about the Bbile with her. This is what has her heart and the fact that I am meeting the communication need in her life. I think the fact that I can give her financial security has a big part in this as well.

I did share this site with her...I hope she can use it and she did read the articles on internet dating and shared them with me...that is why I possed the question. She does not however, no I possed this question on here, yet. I will tell that I did a little latter. I just want to hear some of your responses.

Thanks,

While writing my love a card, I was telling her it is only 20 more days until we meet face to face...The thought came to me this should be the same excitement that we wait upon Jesus' return...for He is coming for His bride... and the bride has not seen Him yet... Oh what a day that is going to be...then I thought how He talks to us through His word and we talk to Him through prayer and He answers prayer (although, not always as we expect) but to think we worship one we have not seen! ... This is going to be one of the greatest miracles I have ever experienced if we--my girl and I--marry and have it be successful!

I met my wife on the internet believe it or not... We gamed first and then married years later... It can work but one of you will have to move to be closer if you want it to really work. I moved to get closer to my then girlfriend so I could get to know her better.