You have a lot of good points Tom. I've experienced long distance relationships, but both times it was with someone I knew locally and moved away.

I too am at a point in my life where I could easily relocate and have thought about whether I would relocate to be near someone I haven't met in person and no, I would want to have had face to face contact a few times before making that decision.

When I think of dating, I envision holding hands, going out to dinner, walking on the beach, the first kiss, and mostly the stuff that goes along with face to face interactions. I missed those things when I was in a long distant relationship. But I've also given this a lot of thought if I were to consider getting to know someone long distance and how we could compensate for the lack of the face to face interactions, in a way that would appease my romantic nature.

Thanks to technology, it's possible to still have date night or go for an afternoon picnic using skpe, or another means of webcam. I think if someone wants to date long distance, it's a matter of changing ones perception and preconceived ideas of what dating is for them. Get creative and use your imagination. But be realistic at the same tim,. there's a lot of factors involved to consider.

Like Duttoneer said, you have the opportunity to really get to know someone when most of your interactions are writing to each other.

I believe it's possible so long as both are dedicated and honest with each other. For me, it's not preferable, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility.

Spot On!

Writing allows time for one to consider what they say, look at it and make changes before the other reads it. There is time to contemplate the words read and digest their meaning. It also sets a record of accountability that can enhance honesty.

Live video allows us to see active body language and facial expressions while words are being said. It gives us a way to affirm our understanding of the person that wrote to us. It also allows us to see the unwritten and the non-described truth of their being.

In person allows us to experience the other with our remaining senses. Determine the nature of the person's touch, detect their pheromone signature, assess their personal cleanliness, taste their chemical makeup and over-all, sense physical compatibility.

All these methods of bonding have importance to building a relationship of love. Accurate compatibility can't be done without time in-person. The more time spent together the better the assessment can be.

Isn't that what the whole courtship process is about? An Assessment of compatibility?