The Dating Chronicles – Distance Makes the Heart

We’ve all heard it before, but does distance truly make the heart grow fonder?

With the overwhelming presence people have online, is it possible to develop a meaningful connection with someone you’ve never met in person? Perhaps someone who lives across the country or in a different country entirely?

We here at The Dating Chronicles have been asking ourselves that very question. And to be completely honest, it’s a difficult question, one without a cookie-cutter response, so the only reasonable outcome was for us to write about it 😉

The circumstance has yet to present itself to us, but all things are possible, so we won’t rule it out from ever happening. One gal we know, on the other hand, is going through this exact thing right now. This is her story.

I jumped on a dating app, not really thinking much of it. Honestly, I was just trying to find fun people to go grab a drink or two with and keep my time, not spent at work or with friends and family, occupied. I didn’t expect anything to come of it. And, if I’m really being honest, I didn’t even want anything to come of talking to or meeting anyone. I figured, if I met someone cool, I’d go with it and see where things went from there. But, again, I didn’t expect that to happen – or even want it.

So, when I did meet someone and we seemed to click right away, I wasn’t sure what to think. Especially because he doesn’t even live in the same state I do. Right away I thought, ‘Who cares. Could be fun to chat with this little hottie. He’s pretty funny and sweet, and I like talking to him.’

The more and more we chatted and shared info and stories about our lives, I started developing a little crush… then my mind started going. I tried to stop it, but that mind of mine wouldn’t stop badgering me with the questions of, ‘Yeah, you like him but where could this go?’ ‘What if it starts to feel like more than a silly, fun crush?’ etc. etc. etc.

(You know the drill, ladies. Not so fun.)

So, I blocked out all those questions the best I could and chilled out, and it worked. Until I met him.

The entire time we spent together was nothing but fantastic! It didn’t feel weird or awkward. At all. I still can’t figure out if that was a good or bad decision. First of all because I have no idea when, or even if, I’ll see him again. And second, we don’t live anywhere near each other… {cue annoying thoughts running through my mind again.)

I kept questioning myself. Was it a good idea to meet him, to answer my wondering of what it would be like to see him face-to-face, or should I have left it all a mystery and someday just move on? I’m still not really sure. But, there’s not changing it now, can only move forward from here.

We have continued to talk since I last saw him, but I think it has only made my mind ask even more questions I don’t think it should be pondering. I’m stuck in this limbo of what to do or think. This isn’t a situation I ever thought I would be in.

What’s a girl to do? Stick with logic, especially when there are many eligible guys here in my own city? Or, throw caution to the wind and see what happens with my, seemingly  great, ‘mystery man’?

I’ll be sure to keep R + A and all your Dating Chronicles readers updated on what happens, so stay tuned…

Rachel and I could see where she was coming from, and we both didn’t know what to tell this girl because ultimately, we’re not her. What works for us, won’t always work for everyone else.

Now, I just happened to read an article on Huff Post Weddings back in September about an engaged couple who first “met” on Instagram, and I thought of it right away when this topic was chosen. My first thought reading it wasn’t, “That’s weird,” my first thought was, “Aw, that’s so cute!” With the expansion of digital mediums, more and more people are finding connections in places that never existed just a few short years ago.

In fact, these connections expand beyond romantic relationships and extend into friendships, as well as different types of partnerships. I know this column is usually about dating, but I beg your indulgence while I make my point.

Take me and Rachel as an example. She lives in the Midwest; I’m on the East Coast. A friend sent me a link to one of her blog posts about breaking into PR. I read it, liked it, and decided to send Rachel a tweet about how much I appreciated the post.  Not only did Rachel tweet back, but before I knew it, I had a DM from her, asking about my writing and if I’d be interested in contributing to this blog… a connection and working partnership was born!

What about you? Have you made a connection with someone far away through a media platform or dating app? We’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts, so please share in the comments section below or mosey on over to Twitter and tweet us, @AlyssaNRomeo & @rachmariepr!