Let’s Spot The Red Flags
This morning I was reading about a female who met someone online over a month ago.
The relationship moved fast and both she and the man consider themselves to be one another’s “boyfriend” and “girlfriend.” She states that she feels as if she’s known him for all of her life because they talk all the time, several hours a day, actually. He’s told her that he loves her and continues to tell her that he loves her on a daily basis. She’s told all her family and friends about him and she says she’s genuinely happy for the first time in a long while. Her only bit of discontent is that she worries a little because she wants to be sure that what he says is what he means. But she figures that will be straightened out when they finally meet. Which hasn’t happened yet.
Yes, you read that right. They haven’t met yet. And how old is she? Believe it or not, she is 54 years old. And he only lives, supposedly, within a 3 hour radius from where she is.
Her family and friends and family are concerned. I can understand their apprehension as I’m sure many women can. There’s a red flag waving here that seems pretty clear to me.
There is no doubt that talking daily (for several hours a day, mind you) with someone new quickens the heart. How can it not? You are sharing your self with another person: and any time you share yourself and are met with acceptance from another will warm your heart towards that person. But when words of: “I love you” are being said regularly and you are starting to revolve your daily life around that person, putting the brakes on your emotions and actions is a wise thing to do. Particularly if you have yet to meet the person.
The red flag reflects that voice from within you that senses that things are not quite right- even when you try to talk yourself out of it and tell yourself that you are just being paranoid. But you are NOT being paranoid when this flag starts to call for your attention and you would be wise to heed and listen to it.
When people are hungry for love and recognition, it is often easy to ignore all the possibilities of what’s really going on, no matter what your age is. But it is hard to believe that someone already loves you without having met you in person. A face-to-face interaction really needs to be in play to determine whether or not there is indeed, “love” there. Actions speak louder than words. Romantic communications with someone you don't truly know and have never met are possibly invested with false emotions and a highly questionable future. Obviously, many factors come into play with falling in love.
Listen to the red flag. Honor its wisdom. Pay attention. Be careful if you decide to go forward with your budding Internet romance. Good luck