Been here for months, but it is time to say "Hi"

[Seeker]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone.  I feel like I know many of you already.  I even like and respect a few of you.   

Thanks for being here, I have learned a lot.  To be honest, most of what I have learned has been from the women and from some of the married regulars.  Some of the rest of you I would not want to meet in a dark alley.   

Anyhow... here I am.  Finally out of lurking mode.

John

[Vaughn]

Welcome, John - the apology in your first post runs against the grain of the
Heinlein quote in your signature, but exceptions flourish all over this board.

Here's one that rings true: How can I possibly put a new idea into your heads,
if I do not first remove your delusions? ~ Heinlein's "Doctor Pinero" in Life-Line (1939)

So, John, whaddaya think? Is there a future ticket purchase pending?

[Seeker]

Yes... Planning for March.  Her choice.   

International Women's Day seems like a good time to meet after 10 months (at this point) of letters.  And this is not the typical story I have read here.  Neither of us was looking for an international relationship.  Just found a friend, and things have grown from there.

[Seeker]

Welcome, John - the apology in your first post runs against the grain of the
Heinlein quote in your signature, but exceptions flourish all over this board.

Here's one that rings true: How can I possibly put a new idea into your heads,
if I do not first remove your delusions? ~ Heinlein's "Doctor Pinero" in Life-Line (1939)

My apology means I find that rule tolerable. 

[Dave13]

Welcome John, Hope you have a great trip!

Dave

[BillyB]

10 months (at this point) of letters.  

Welcome Seeker/John,
  10 months of correspondence and she still like ya! Most women don't spend a lot of time corresponding with a guy before they label him a keyboard romeo and dump him. Maybe it's good you two started out as friends. That's the way it should start out.

I don't know if you talked to her on the phone but maybe she doesn't speak English and is shy to speak on the phone? With ladies like that I tell them I just want to hear there voice for a minute although we may not understand each other. Many ladies have given me their phone number although they were initially reluctant.

[Seeker]

Welcome Seeker/John,
  10 months of correspondence and she still like ya! Most women don't spend a lot of time corresponding with a guy before they label him a keyboard romeo and dump him. Maybe it's good you two started out as friends. That's the way it should start out.

I don't know if you talked to her on the phone but maybe she doesn't speak English and is shy to speak on the phone? With ladies like that I tell them I just want to hear there voice for a minute although we may not understand each other. Many ladies have given me their phone number although they were initially reluctant.

She does not speak English, but I have always wanted to learn Russian, and now I finally am.  And I think I sound pretty good... for a two year old.   

Next for us is a video chat on Skype.  With an interpreter.  Problem is time difference and work schedules. 

And yes, being friends first is the only reason it has continued.  She is as surprised about how this has turned out as I am.

[Seeker]

Welcome John, Hope you have a great trip!

Dave

Thank you for the kind thoughts.

[dogspot]

Hey John,

I can relate to your 'friends first' philosophy with your lady friend. I started out as "just friends" with my current girlfriend and finally met after 14 months of correspondence and fell in love. I somehow knew that our relationship would progress beyond friends although we never talked about it during these 14 months. But I have to admit, I was a little concerned that one of us would see things different than the other. It was a risk I was more than willing to take and the results so far have been amazing. I hope that you and your friend find the same connection that my lady and I found beyond correspondence. I wish you the best in your journey.

Jeff

[Seeker]

Hey John,

I can relate to your 'friends first' philosophy with your lady friend. I started out as "just friends" with my current girlfriend and finally met after 14 months of correspondence and fell in love. I somehow knew that our relationship would progress beyond friends although we never talked about it during these 14 months. But I have to admit, I was a little concerned that one of us would see things different than the other.

 It was a risk I was more than willing to take and the results so far have been amazing. I hope that you and your friend find the same connection that my lady and I found beyond correspondence. I wish you the best in your journey.

Jeff

Thanks.     In reply to the first highlight, hmmmmmm.... how do I say this nice.... okay, "No shit Dude!"  And I am not being sarcastic, that is really how I feel too.  In person it would come across clearer.  It is one of the things I worry/think about too.

And for the second highlight... that damn romantic gene...  Will they ever have a cure?

[I/O]

Most women don't spend a lot of time corresponding with a guy before they label him a keyboard romeo and dump him.

Really?

[Turboguy]

And for the second highlight... that damn romantic gene...  Will they ever have a cure?

They already have a cure with about a 50% success rate or better.  It is called marriage.

Most women don't spend a lot of time corresponding with a guy before they label him a keyboard romeo and dump him.

I found that to be often the case as well.   When I was in that stage I wanted to write a woman for a while to be sure she was serious.   About the time I would decide she was, she would decide I wasn't.

[BC]

John,

Whatever you do, keep expectations to a minimum, and willingness to travel at the maximum.

If you want a RW, you end up having to go there several times anyway, so IMHO forget about the women and just get your feet on the ground. 

[Seeker]

Whatever you do, keep expectations to a minimum, and willingness to travel at the maximum.
 

My expectations are to meet a friend and see a part of the world I had never expected to see.

And Turbo, I would hate to think that marriage is a cure for romance.  [remove tongue from cheek]