How should I handle this online relationship situation?

I have been speaking to a guy online for about four months. We are both about 25, and we got together on a dating site. I know there's a lot of backlash against online dating, so let me reassure you all--we went to the same college, and I did know him by reputation and in passing though we never actually spoke. So, chances of him being a serial killer are significantly decreased :)

When I say we talked, I don't mean just texting or something. We probably discussed everything under the sun, and I don't think either of us ever sent an email less than a page long--usually longer, honestly. It was just like we couldn't run out of things to say to each other. We shared the same sense of humor, and we flirted all the time. I don't think this kind of thing really ever came easily to either of us. I'll admit we're both kind of geeks (with pride!), so the connection was incredible.

About a month ago, we had arranged to meet. Let me just say right now, I have always struggled with my self-image. I am kind of paranoid about being rejected due to a few things that have happened to me in the past, and I know I am really oversensitive. Long story short, he emailed (we don't speak on the phone) and canceled on me about an hour before we were supposed to meet. He said he was having car trouble, but you know how that is... I was kind of hurt, because I had already felt like I was the one most anxious for us to meet in the first place. Plus I had bought a new outfit, done my hair, and pretty much went all out getting ready by the time he canceled.

Rather than talking about it, as I should have done, I just never wrote him back. I figured, okay, if he truly cares about me he'll write me back. Yeah...he never wrote me back. But this just seemed so sudden. He was always talking about things he wanted to do, places he wanted to take me, movies that he was going to make me watch with him...he left no doubt that he was interested in me, and he felt strongly about me. And, again...two page emails. Once a day.

So, anyway, here I am a month later and I can't stop thinking of him. Second guessing the admittedly lame way I handled things, and wandering if he even misses me at all. Honestly, I've never felt such an affinity with anyone else. I feel like I've lost one of my closest friends, because he was someone I felt I could say anything too. And I don't know what to do, if anything. Should I email him? If so, what should I say? I'm not totally without pride, and I still think he should have messaged me back. Should I just let it go? Please try not to be too harsh, but I would like some outside opinions.

Thanks.

Fizzy ツ2010-01-30T16:43:21Z

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I would email him. Keep it short and to the point. Then the ball will be in his court. I don't think you have anything to lose by sending him a message. I would've reacted similarly to you and thought the same things (car trouble, really?), but who knows maybe he did or maybe he freaked out last second. Also, if it's someone you really feel such an attraction and connection with, why not send one silly email? In the end, it won't hurt.

Just promise yourself you will only write that one email and then move on if you don't get a reply.

I'd say something like...
When you cancelled our date was it really car trouble or was it second thoughts or anxiety? I felt like we had a good connection that might at least have ended in a great friendship. (or something more eloquent/witty).

A friend told me this recently "Different fish like different bait." It's a nice reminder that just because one guy isn't interested, that doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you.

Roberta S2010-01-30T16:36:30Z

It sounds like you two had a good thing going. He could have been feeling the same feelings you were feeling. If you have that much in common, maybe you have that feeling in common, too. I think you need to strike up a conversation with him again. I have a feeling he misses you, too. Yeah, he should have messaged you back. No, don't just let it go. Start off with a simple conversation. Don't even mention the fact he bailed out. Keep it light. Nobody likes confrontation, so don't. See where it takes you. Good luck

johnb6932010-01-30T16:52:15Z

I wish I could tell you, that you are alone, in this sort of thing happening, but it happens to many of us.
These days, or should I say, since the Internet, became a big part of our lives, we meet people, through all sort of ways. Chat rooms, or on some other kind of site. As you said, this man, wasn't one of those real strangers, at least you knew of each other, however little that was.
Over the years, I've had the same kind of relationship, lasting a long time. I've had one or two that have lasted ten years or more. Sharing much of the same interests and sense of humor.
But like every thing else in life, things happen to people, and events can change them as well.
I've had some lady friends, who just met Mr Right, and said, as sad as it makes them, they feel, that, they have to discontinue, our relationship. I understood that, they were talking real life partners, where we really were just what they used to call pen pals. And yes, you do get close to them, even though it's not face to face, you get to know each other and their thoughts pretty well over time.
What happened to him, to cut it off so abruptly, is hard to understand, at least with me, they let me know, the change in their circumstances, so it wasn't a complete shock to me.
But others have just suddenly vanished, with no clue what so ever why they stopped their E-mails.
Did they have an accident, did they die? One never knows,the reason and it's frustrating as hell, trying to guess why it just ended that way.
Sometimes, it just kind of peters out, the time between E-mails gets longer and longer, until none arrive at all. Those are easier to accept, as you usually have said all you have to say, and it gets harder and harder to come up with something new.
I think sending him one last E-mail, asking why he stopped E-mailing you, wouldn't be wrong. If he doesn't answer, well at least you tried, It would be nice if he did, and gave you a good reason for his sudden silence.
All you can do now, is perhaps shed a few tears, treasure the good times you had, and like the rest of us, just move on with your life.
If I can suggest to you, having shared the same problem, try to accept the fact, that these things happen, although yours was more personal than mine, as most of my correspondents, were cross country, so a meeting was not in the cards. We just enjoyed our chats and mails together.
As I am almost twice as old as you are, I've gone through many of these break-ups, some expected, some not so much.
So with all that experience, I'm not as hurt or disappointed as I was by the first one. Just sad to lose that kind of friendship.
We do get over these, some like yours, will take much longer, and he'll often pop into your head, wondering what happened and what he's doing now.
So I'm sorry, you had to go through this, but like life itself, we have no control over these sort of things, We just have to accept the facts as they are, and get on with life.
Sad as it is, it's not the end of the world.

Babee x32010-01-30T16:34:55Z

you should email him!!!

go girl, maybe he's thinking of you wondering the same thing you are

this could be fait and you both are just to shy to talk to each other.!

please answer mine
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArEPkXxAO77doVq8A7IGA4jsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20100130162853AAGwAXG

dazzabeann2010-01-30T16:35:40Z

E-mail him and ask how hes been? If he still doesn't reply then maybe its time to let it go :/

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