Yeah, I know, it's hokey, but it's true

Those that are friends of mine suspect it, I am sure, but I am just going to say it right out...this dorky dude found love on a diet and fitness website. I wasn't trying to find anyone on here...hell I was just trying to lose weight and get fit. A certain beautiful, smart, funny, sexy, and very caring woman sent me a friend request out of the blue...pun intended because she liked my blue eyes, and the "friendship" started out just like any other on MFP...the WTGs on status updates, the occasional comment, the "how is it going" or "good morning". But, one day, I found out that both of my Grandparents as well as an Aunt were all deteriorating at the same time and long story short, they all died within 7 days of one another. I posted my situation and this special woman really reached out with genuine caring and concern and really helped me deal with the loss of three very special people in my life.

We became closer on MFP with long winded PMs, eventually texts, and then the inevitable phone conversations. We talked about our families, our shared divorces (or pending divorces), MFP stuff, love, relationships, our love for favorite sports teams...everything.

As if fate was dealing me a winning hand, I was stationed in a job for the summer that put me a short 4 hour drive from this special woman's home and in early June, we made plans to actually meet. The meet was initially awkward, both of us slightly unsure of ourselves, but we recovered from the initial awkwardness and had a wonderful two days, mostly just talking and sharing each other's company over dinner that Friday, then breakfast and lunch the following day. After that weekend, I knew in my heart that I was falling for this woman and I suspected that she was falling for me...

We continued to stay in constant contact over the past few weeks and this last weekend, we had a chance to meet up again and the time I spent with her was like her and I had been together for years...you know that you have met the person for you when you can be comfortable in your own skin, be yourself, and thoroughly enjoy just being together.

I guess what I am doing posting this thread is two-fold. I want to tell the world that I love this woman, little_laura and God willing, her and I will have a long future together. We are separated by 600 miles and a lot of logistical hurdles, but I am a patient man and I hope that she is a patient woman. The other thing I want to say is that you shouldn't be afraid to take a risk and meet people just because they are MFP friends and not "real" friends. I have met people on here that I consider real friends and I hope to meet each and every one of them one day...don't be afraid to take that scary step if you think you might have found someone...this ISN'T just a diet and fitness website...it is a global community of people who at least in one area of their life have something in common...who knows, Mr. or Mrs. Right may be out there for you...