"I was an Internet Bride"

I went from being happily single and living in Texas to happily married and living in Scotland simply by chatting on the Internet. I'm about to share with you exactly how I did it and what I learned. You will find that many of these "tips" are useful to help you build relationships in general or even to prepare for a blind date.

Common Interests

The Internet is full of groups where people with similar interests hang out and interact. It makes sense that anyone you want to spend a considerable amount of time with would have something in common with you. From that starting place, chances are you will have other things to chat about.

Have a sense of humor

There's a saying in Scotland: "Funny gets the fanny." Translation: "Funny gets the girl." Ever wonder why the frog-looking comedian ends up with the beauty queen for a girlfriend? Because funny is attractive.

Flirt-but don't play games

Some may say "hate the game and not the playa," I say, "don't even play that game with me." There is nothing wrong with flirting. Flirting is a skill and is important when establishing relationships, but don't overdo it. If you need to feed your ego by destroying someone else's -seek professional psychiatric help. Life is too short to deal with people like you.

Post your photo

Make it a good one. Not the blackmail photo of you worshiping the Porcelain God or bent over while someone holds a cigarette lighter behind you. Likewise, don't make it a professional, glamorous, studio photo of you wearing clothes you only wear at weddings, funerals, or job interviews. Pick a flattering, but casual photo of yourself, preferably one of you smiling in it.

Be honest. Tell the truth.

What have you to lose? Now is the time to be who you are for real so the person at the other end of your Internet connection can decide if you are worth pursuing...and vice versa. Take your time and really get to know each other.

Say No-and mean it

From ethics and morals to sexual positions, if something goes against your core values, own up. It's all about being honest and truthful. Know your limits and stick to them. However, when it comes to less important issues, you have to be flexible and this will be addressed later.

Keep track of conversations

Following from the tips mentioned above, it's hard to maintain a lie over a long period of time. Instant messenger programs can archive conversations so if your beloved says one day that they love kids but a few days later remarks that they can't stand children-what else have they fibbed about?

But it's also a good tool for other things too. For example, maybe you had a conversation about flowers and she said she doesn't like cut flowers but prefers potted plants. Her birthday is on the horizon and you don't know what to get. You find the chat about likes and dislikes in your archives and before you mess up by sending her a bouquet-you send her a Chia Pet instead. Crisis averted!

Be flexible

Do you have a laundry list of physical traits, occupations, and bank account balances for your future mate? Rip it up. Limiting yourself to a rigid set of requirements is a sure way of becoming a living version of that drawing of the skeleton, covered in cobwebs and sitting on a park bench with the sign: Waiting for the Perfect Man (or Woman). Yes...you know which one I'm talking about.

Don't be desperate

Nothing reeks more than the stench of desperation. Don't get married on the first date. Daydreaming at work about how "Mr. and Mrs. John Smith" sounds or thinking of potential first names for any children you may have is a sad waste of time. Don't put that kind of pressure on yourself. Be realistic.

Hook Up

You've chatted on the computer. You've yakked on the phone. The suspense is killing you both and you really want to meet each other in person. So do it. Treat it like a blind date by meeting in a public place and keep it casual. By this time, you should know practically everything about each other so meeting in person will be the icing on the cake.

It doesn't matter if your Internet love interest is a city away or a continent away, it is possible to catch true love online. It's not called the world-wide-web for nothing.