Nerves before seeing each other?

The feelings of knowing somebody so well but never having met in person are certainly a little strange at first and take some getting used to, and at first I found myself questioning whether I should really be feeling such strong emotions and perhaps even trying to fight them.  But stopping to think about it some more, I came to the realization that when the only methods of communication are by written words and the telephone, it's quite possible to talk about so many things so extensively that two people can get to know far more about each other's thoughts, beliefs, and so on than many couples who meet by more conventional methods but don't get around to discussing those deeper issues until much later.

Not nerves on my end but when we met in person neither of us could look at each others face when we were speaking. Needless to say we got over it quickly.

Not nerves on my end but when we met in person neither of us could look at each others face when we were speaking. Needless to say we got over it quickly.

I've thought about this too. It's strange being so connected to someone without seeing the other person's facial expressions or without the senses of touch and smell involved. I would imagine that it's a sensory overload at first and you might have to gradually work all of the senses into it.

But stopping to think about it some more, I came to the realization that when the only methods of communication are by written words and the telephone, it's quite possible to talk about so many things so extensively that two people can get to know far more about each other's thoughts, beliefs, and so on than many couples who meet by more conventional methods but don't get around to discussing those deeper issues until much later.

How interesting Paul, as I've found this to be my experience as well 

my boyfriend and i knew each other before we started long-distance (we were together for 8 months before he moved back to the UK and have been doing long distance for 6 months), but i still get nervous when we see each other.  i've been over there twice and he's due to visit me in 5 days (!!!)--i haven't seen him since november and it's the first time he's been back to boston since he moved, so i think i'm just anxious to make it a great visit for him.  i also just got my visa approved and our plans to move in together in july have suddenly become very REAL, so i am super nervous to see what the dynamic is like now that we know this is actually happening.  i'm actually going to be sending him back with a suitcase full of my things, which feels like the 'no turning back' point...we'll most likely have 5 months apart after this, so i feel like this visit needs to be perfect because the next time i see him will be when i'm actually moving over for good!   

Lilybelle, that's so exciting! Congrats on getting your visa and your upcoming move! I'm in a similar boat... seeing my boyfriend for a week, and then we're back to LDR until we move in together in August! I, too, am taking a suitcase of items to leave there. Do you mind if I ask what you're leaving in the UK? I'm having a hard time coming up with ideas of things I can't live without, but that I can somehow do without for six months. 

How about out of season clothing? Photos? Books?

How about out of season clothing? Photos? Books?

Photos and books are a great idea! Sadly, I'll need my clothes because being up here in Maine I'll be going through three seasons before August. But on second thought, maybe I will pack a few pieces in there. It'll be like Christmas when I open it up and Ta Da!! I like everything!

Wow 5 days, that is very exciting, we can be nervous together!  Congrats on getting your visa!

Sheateawholepie, it was funny because my father suggested I leave things during my visit like my winter coat since I won't be wearing it in Aug.  Um father, I am in Minnesota I need that coat for March and April, it is still rather cold outside!  Is there any chance he'll be able to come visit you before you move over? 

ohh so glad to hear that you're also struggling over coming up with ideas of what to leave over there.... so initially, before i knew i had the visa for sure, i was only going to send him with things i wouldn't want back should something not work out.  now that i have the visa and we have been talking about marriage, i am perplexed.  

i know for sure i am sending him back with my snowboarding gear (boots, pants, coat) because i won't be using that anymore until i move and it's too bulky to bring over in the summer when i go for good.  i'll probably send him with a big booklet/case thing of cds, as that seems like a bulky item to ship since i no longer have the cases (books and dvds i will probably mail over--he did this when he went and spent a few hundred dollars via the us postal service).  i'd like to send him with some of my work clothes/an interview suit to eliminate worry over the airline losing my luggage this summer if i go over and have to interview someplace right away.  i'm thinking shoes and some of my bulkier winter clothing could go back with him now.  i'm also allowing myself to send a few items that i *can* live without, but that i don't really want to.  i have really nice brand new mugs and plates still boxed up that my mom gave to me last year that i really don't want to part with for sentimental reasons.  i wouldn't dream of moving these over if i was only making one trip with my things...but this seems like a good chance to have him take those over (i am going to send them with him as a carry-on item).  that's probably the one thing that i am indulging myself in keeping that would make sense to part with.  if i can find those space bags that you can vacuum the air out of, i will probably send him with a quilt that my great-grandmother made, as well.  he's coming here with one mostly empty suitcase and only a camera bag for a carry-on and i'm sending him back with an additional suitcase plus a carry-on, so the poor guy is going to be a bit loaded down!  

Ooo! All good ideas! Thank you!

if i can find those space bags that you can vacuum the air out of, i will probably send him with a quilt that my great-grandmother made, as well.

Ziplock makes giant ziplock bags that are about 2.7ft by 2ft and have a handle. I find that filling it with something, then putting something flat and heavy on top (I use my dining room table leaf) and zipping it shut works the same way, and they're only $7/3! Here they are at drugstore.com.

thanks so much for the tip!! that sounds perfect!

  i also just got my visa approved and our plans to move in together in july have suddenly become very REAL, so i am super nervous to see what the dynamic is like now that we know this is actually happening.  i'm actually going to be sending him back with a suitcase full of my things, which feels like the 'no turning back' point...

That's a good thing! Congratulations!

I remember he brought my suitcase over cause I asked him to. Then, we made the decision I was moving back there, and I'm like "Well, maybe we shouldn't have brought this suitcase."

"I'm not taking it BACK."

That was the end of that, and when my cat tried to get in his, instead, while he was packing up to leave.

My suggestion to you is perhaps look up prices to send things by boat if you have a lot of items. If you are afraid of the airline losing them, that may be a better option. USPS costs an arm and a leg to ship boxes. To ship a box full of candy and Kool Aid for me was $60.

Just an update: My trip to Newcastle went great, and everything was just perfect with the boyfriend! 

Hooray I am glad to hear that!  Any future plans set up??

Hooray I am glad to hear that!  Any future plans set up??

Yup! Moving there in August for school. We spent a good deal of the time flat-hunting. It was fun to play house, but will be even more fun when we're living it.