Many people have raised the question whether relationships that began on the internet, based initially on characteristics and common values, are more lasting than those having more traditional roots.  It is difficult to answer because there are as many contradictions as there are favorable examples to this new method of finding a partner.

The fact is that those who have experienced romance worthy of a fairy tale are happy to share with the world their fortune, while those who've met disappointment tend to keep to themselves the details.  They would rather not make public the proof of what they feel to be their own naiveté or gullibility.

The many letters that I come across in my role of overseeing this column, perhaps the only thing I can deduct is that emotions on the internet are as unpredictable as they are anywhere else in the world.  That is to say, anything and everything may happen.  There can be no generalizations, no scripts. I am attempting to bring a balance to this column by choosing both positive and negative stories that were sent in by the readers.

The previous story cautioned readers to be forever weary of people they meet on the internet, so let me tip the scale back with a collection of letters that carry the general message of "I've found my one and only on the internet":

I was in NY at the time expected to return to Hungary the following day.  Thought I'd say good-bye to my chat pals and so I logged on and entered the ‘love’ room.  He was there with the nick ‘Sharpshooter’.  At first I did not speak with him as I was busy talking with my friends.  He attempted contact to me again and we ended up chatting. I liked him, but since I was in a hurry I casually mentioned to him that if he wanted to he could come out with the rest of my friends to pick me up at the airport and join us for the party following.

I arrived in Budapest the day after Christmas and that was the first time I saw him at the airport.  There was an unbelievable harmony between us from that first moment.  We became good friends and during the months that followed, a deep love developed between us.  We've been together for close to a year and I think we make an almost perfect couple!

Kriszta alias Kalanka