Meeting someone for the first time.

This Saturday I plan on meeting a guy I've talked to for over a year.  We've been through a lot together and although we have not met eachother yet, our relationship is profound.

I know that having known each other for so long without having ever met will make meeting very awkward and strange, but does anyone have any experience with such a situation?  Do you have any tips on how to make the situation less awkward?

why do you think it will be awkward?  You said yourself that you've talked for over a year, and have been through alot together.  I think that you'll be fine.  If you've been friends for that long, then you should be pretty close to each other.  I think you'll be fine.  You're just excited, which usually equals nervousness.  :)

I met my hubby on the internet and we talked for about 6 months before we met. I was so nervous to met him in person, not because I though he would not like my personality but becuse I thought he would think I was ugly, even though he has seen a ton of pics of me. It odvously turned out fine since we are now married and have a son! lol

Just relax and have fun!

You're probably sick of hearing this, but be careful. I had to say it. Bring a friend with you and meet somewhere public.  99% he's probably great and the guy you think he is, but just the idea of the meeting sets off a little red flag for me.  If you guys do have something romantic between the two of you, meeting for the first time with a friend (and maybe he brings a friend) won't ruin anything.

As for the awkwardness, and I always say that things are only awkward when you let them get that way.  Silences are only really 'awkward' when someone is stupid and says 'ooooh awkward silence.'  Be happy to be there with him.  Chances are when you meet you'll both be in a bit of shock and may not be bursting with things to say every minute (count on this).  Plan to be comfortable with that.  If you've talked for that long, clearly you have something special.  And since he's agreed to meet you, just because you don't have something to say for a minute he's not going to throw it away. Try to take a lot of the pressure off yourself and that invisible tension/'awkwardness' will start to fade. If he sees you feel less tense, it will relieve him a bit too.  Oh, and bringing the friends (as mentioned above), may make it less awkward because there's more people in the conversation (you can 'fall back' on your friend if you need to). Hm...as for other ideas...do you live in the same city? Like do you know the same places to hang out?  I would go to a place where you're comfortable, or at least familiar with.  That way you have at least one constant.  Maybe go to a coffee shop with an open mic thing or something, so you have opportunities to sit and talk but also to just enjoy something together (and if you dont have something to say for a minute, there's something to do!).

I hope that helps!

Have fun!

I actually had the biggest hangups about meeting him because I thought he would think I was ugly/fat/unattractive.  This was mostly because most of my pictures were face-shots and I generally don't look heavy in those.  Funny thing is I knew he actually preferred heavier women (chubby-chaser xD).

I don't really think the awkwardness will be that much of an issue but I suppose I'm just nervous.

I've definitely made sure to take proper precautions and such, so don't worry. :]

And thanks for all the suggestions; keep them coming. :D

I met my hubby for the first time after 4 months of non-stop talking/texting/writing.. and it wasn't awkward it just felt right. Just be yourself, talk like you normally do. Just relax, meet somewhere that you can be relaxed in.. bar, coffee house...? 

Just out of curiousity, how did your contact begin? Was it in a dating type context, or a friendship context, or an arranged chat? I've always liked hearing about this stuff-it seems like it's easier to be yourself with someone when your hangups about the way you look are removed from the picture, so to speak.

I noticed that you're 16, may I ask how old he is?

Also, I'm glad that you're taking precautions to make sure you're safe, and in public is a great idea.

I met my now bf online, and we talked for only a week.  We talked all day, every day, texted, emails... you name it...   and after a week I HAD to meet him.   We did, and we've been with each EVERYDAY ever since, we now live together.  

I had an account on OkCupid, which is a dating site, though I was mostly just on it for the quizzes.  (They're fun xD)  We began talking as friends but that slowly evolved into something more meaningful.

As for my being sixteen; he's twenty-four.  And while I realise that's a huge age gap and he may have other intentions, he was under the impression that I was eighteen when we began talking.  When he found out my actual age, he was considering breaking off all contact; so no, he's not a paedophile.

I know many people will be concerned about the age difference and my being so young, but I know what risks are involved and have made proper measures to ensure my safety.

It will be fine!  I mean, if you guys have this profound relationship before you've met...  ;-)  I've met many people online--in fact my last 3 boyfriends have been people I've met online.  It can be a touch awkward, but really if you've already been through a lot, the intial meeting will be a piece of cake. 

sweetheart... even if he thought you were 18... 18 and 24 is still a pretty big difference.    Im not tryin to deter you from doing what you want to do, because regardless of what we say, you're going to meet him anyway.   Do your parents know his age?   After a year, I'm sure they've heard about him right? And if not, if you two hit it off, do you think they'd be okay with his age?

Just some things to throw out there and think about.

I know you dont think you're a child, because youre not, but you're still an adolescent...   and I dont think its right.   Just be careful.   I'm 25 and would NEVER consider meeting or even associating with someone in their teens.  What could you two POSSIBLY have in common?

EDIT:  Also, I'm 25 and my bf is 34, this is the age difference between you and this man, however, we're both adults.  Just be careful.

He's 24...you're 16. You've only met online. He thought you were 18...hmmmm. I'm not comfortable with ANY of this, especially since you told him you were 16. When I was 24 I had no interest in 16 year olds for A LOT of obvious reasons. This is just creeping me out.

Im so glad that you said this Michael, I didnt want to be the only "party pooper" adult..

gadzooks this worries me a lot. I learned the hard way at your age that dating a man that much older than you is NOT a good idea. I was put in a dangerous situation more than once and furthermore as an adult, I find it very creepy he would want to date you.

I'm not saying anything about the internet or younger people since I met my much younger husband online and he moved here from Australia for us. The difference is we're both adults. Just be careful, ok??

Are you travelling far to see him? Is he? Is there going to be a parent or other fully adult person nearby and on standby you can call, just in case you need to?
Again, I really don't want to judge you or this guy, and I'm going to give you both the benefit of the doubt, but I just think you should be really careful.

He wants sex...

His thinking I was eighteen is actually a fault on my part.  I don't really look or act my age, so when I told him I was eighteen, he didn't hesitate to think so as well.  He had actually re-affirmed this several times, and it wasn't until last July-ish that he found out my actual age.  At that point, he was pretty upset that I had lied to him and thought that there was no way we could continue talking.

As for what we have in common - I guess we just feel comfortable talking to one another; there's nothing really specific that I can point out, we just mesh well.

The age difference is nine years, and yes, it's a large age gap.  My parents are aware of how old he is and are okay with it.  He'll be the one travelling for the most part.

your parents are okay with this?? 

Does any other PARENT have an issue with this??  My daughter is only 18 months old, but jeez.. I'd kill him!!

Children, even adolescents, and teens, are so impressionable...  I just think that he's taking advantage of you, and the situation.  I'm sure after talking this MAN (yes a man, 24 is not a child) you've both discussed sex... he knows what hes doing, and its not right.

Sorry, just my opinion.

Would a guy really spend all that time talking to someone if he just wanted sex?

Maybe he would.  Maybe its the chase he wants.  there are alot of guys who get off on the "chase" itself, and once they get the girl, they dont care anymore...  It happens.