This was the editorial that Sharon Jayson, USA TODAY, wrote on June 3, 2013.

 

This article showed up in my mailbox, forwarded by
a fellow in our local authors group. His message hinted that for the romance
writers this could be the basis of a new type of love story. Fellow meets girl
online.

 

You know, this stayed in my head until I just knew
I had to write a blurb about the new way of romance in today’s society.

 

I don’t know about you but it doesn’t quite work
for me. I mean, where is the instant recognition of two strangers – eyes connecting
across a crowded room? The lust felt when two people are attracted and their
body’s chemistry takes over. That shyness that dazzles when fate brings you
together and the knowing that comes when you touch for the first time. Wouldn’t
that be missing?

Well wouldn’t it?

 

Not necessarily. Even though this whole new social
media matchmaking is foreign to me, it makes some sense. I equate it to the
fact that I have made wonderful new friends since I’ve started my career as an
author. I’m talking about many of my online friends who I’ve never met. And
yet, if any of them were to say they would be in my neighbourhood, I would be
thrilled and happy to host them – perfect strangers whom I have such affection
for.

 

In today’s world where we fear strangers and have
a huge amount of anxiety for our privacy, maybe it seems like a weird statement.
Except it’s the absolute truth! I feel extremely close to many women who’ve
become my dear friends and with whom I’ve carried on correspondence with and shared precious
moments…not just the happy ones, times when I’ve been upset or worried were written about also. In fact, I’ve been able to
write some of my most private thoughts to friends online that I’d probably never share with people in the same room.

 

So I’ll happily resist letting my old-fashioned
views get in the way of the new order. Actually, when you think about it, if a
romance online does lead to marriage then the two people involved have to get together
at some point? Right?

 

Now I would think if you’re talking about special
moments, my author’s mentality can’t help but picture the most romantic of
meetings. Only this time it would be a meeting of two hearts already familiar
with each other.

How special is that?

What do you think? Would you want to start a relationship online? Do you know anyone who has?