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Last week, we carried part one of a feature on persons who have used the Internet to find lasting love. These relations have in many cases led to marriage and this week, we conclude the feature with another success story plus some safeguards to remember if you decide to try love in cyberspace. (Names have been withheld for privacy)
These days, there are chat rooms and websites for everything including romance. Many people who have grown frustrated by or tired of conventional dating methods resort to the initial anonymity of being just a number in cyberspace. After all, you are alone in a room or office for as long as you choose to be. The decision to meet is entirely up to you.
And this method of finding a partner is becoming more and more popular - even among educated individuals. This is Annette Depass'story: When Annette Depass, aged 28, ended yet another bad relationship, she felt it was time to try unconventional methods to find love the next time.
Based in St. Catherine, she registered with e.Harmony and in less than a month, met Charles Roberts, a doctor from Alabama, U.S.A.
"It was all organised and monitored and we had to do several compatibility tests before we were allowed to share telephone numbers and photographs," she told Flair requesting anonymity.
That was 10 months ago. She has, since then, visited her husband-to-be and he has done the same; they are now engaged and are confident enough to be making wedding plans for a Valentine's Day 2007 wedding. So far, they have conducted their courtship through telephone calls and emails and lots of prayers.
Both Christians
"We are both Christians and the church community is behind us," Depass said. She admitted that many family members and friends were initially skeptical, but they have softened their tone since meeting Charles when he came to Jamaica, last month.
And when she met his family, they were happy that he had found someone at last. His two other siblings are happily married and at 29, they were becoming a bit concerned because he was not even dating seriously.
Come a long way
They have come a long way since the first meeting, when they exchanged gifts and could not wait for their first date to end. "It was better when we went to church and to public places together, plus it was my first time in Alabama. But now, I feel confident that we will be great together,"she said.
And how about the sex? Depass said they have not done it yet because their Christian principles won't let them, but she is confident it will be great.
Safety Tips
There are obvious reasons why one should be careful when dating on the Internet. Date and have fun, but be careful and don't forget to use common sense!
Be careful giving out your personal information to anyone who you haven't investigated yet, no matter how well you seemed to have "connected" with that person.
Make sure before you agree to meet anyone, that you have all the facts about them, and that someone else knows where you are going and whom you are going to see. Agree to meet only in a public place, and make sure that someone you know has a photograph of the person that you are meeting. Again, make sure your date knows this.
Also make sure that the person you are going to meet knows that you are going to have to check in with a friend, and never agree to meet anywhere or do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Even if you feel that you love someone, doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable will only cause problems in the relationship in the long run.
Keep senses in tune for automatic requests for financial assistance. These requests may range from help with bills, airfare, and heavy suggestions for presents.
Beware of people who ask for suggestive photographs (that sounds obvious, but you might be surprised), or who, after you have physically met, want to take videotape or make photographs of more intimate moments. Many times, women, especially, fall victim to these scams, yet, never report them for fear of being exposed to their family or friends or simply because they really don't know who to report.
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