Dear Laura,

Relationships that start over the Internet can be very complicated. Like all relationships sometimes they work and sometimes they don't, but often they are incredibly accelerated.

It's therefore important that you only speak your true feelings to this man, and don't tell him you love him if you don't.

Shy people often find it easier to talk over the Internet because they don't feel self conscious, and they feel they can say anything to someone without the same consequences you would get if you were talking to someone face to face.

Spend More Time Getting To Know Him

I agree. They should get to know each other better in real life.

Now that you've met him twice, you know he's who he says he is, and if you want to get to know him better, you might want to organize to meet him more often, and spend more time talking over the phone, so you get to know each other more personally.

Now that the relationship has got to this stage, it's probably better to keep it away from the Internet and concentrate on meeting and telephone conversations. Don't worry if you find you have very little to say. This, unfortunately, is often a consequence of talking on the Internet: When it comes to a proper conversation, it's hard to think of things to say.

Just try and relax, and tell him about how you've been feeling that day, or what things annoy you. Let him in on things that you don't normally tell people, and this will help him to talk to you more, and soon your conversations will be flowing. Before you make a call to him, maybe think about a few subjects that you can talk about to escape those uncomfortable silences.

Stop Saying "I Love You"

I agree. She should tell him the truth.

As for your feelings for him, you need to talk to him about telling each other 'I love you'. It's only three words, but used in the wrong context or untruthfully can end up hurting someone's feelings. Agree that you'll both stop saying it for a while, until you've decided about your true feelings for him.

Meet with him often, talk to him over the phone a lot, and then decide if you love him. You don't HAVE to love your boyfriend, a lot of people don't love their partners, they just enjoy spending time with them and find them attractive. You don't need to say 'I love you' to be in a relationship with someone. Just make sure you are truthful too him and yourself, and concentrate on talking face to face and on the phone, instead of using the Internet

Good luck.

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