The way it should be

"So, how long are we going to keep up this online dating anyway, Samantha?" She had known the question was going to come up again but Sam still wasn't prepared for how it felt to hear it. "Why? Aren't we having a good time, baby?" she asked, in a rather coy manner, hoping to make light of it. "Well yes," Shawn replied, "but sweetie... I really want to be with you in person. Don't you feel the same way?"

Samantha craved being with Shawn in a way she'd never known. Online dating started out as something she and a bunch of girlfriends had done on a lark one weekend. They had been sitting around, drinking wine and bemoaning the lack of men in their lives, when someone suggested looking into some online dating sites. They had so much fun searching them out and then helping each other create profiles on their favorite choices. However, no one else had really pursued it after that evening - except for Samantha.

Truth be told, she was embarrassed and thought her friends would find her a little pathetic for online dating. But Shawn... oh Shawn... he was just amazing. They had moved from just text chatting to talking on the phone and Sam had lost count of how many times they'd seen the sun rise after talking, flirting and laughing the nights away. She thought Shawn was about the most lovable guy she'd ever met. But she was still nervous... which brought her back to the present conversation. She was concentrating hard on Shawn's words.

"Sam, you're adorable to me. I want to hold you, baby... I want to tickle you and make you laugh. I want to bury my face in your neck and inhale the aroma of your skin... your perfume... I want to know everything about you. Baby, I want to make love to you and you know it. I've tried everything to convince you that I mean it when I tell you I love you. Do you not think I'm being honest?"

Sam's heart broke when she realized that Shawn thought she didn't trust him. That was so far from the truth! It was her pride and keeping up appearances with her friends that had been stopping her. She finally understood that she was allowing those things to keep her from the one man she really and truly loved. It was time.

"Shawn... I love you, too. I have for so long. I guess I was afraid... afraid to take such a big step and move this already amazing relationship into unknown waters. I think I was afraid I wouldn't be the same person to you, face to face. But baby, I need you too. I want you too. I'm sorry I've made you wait for so long. You are the best thing that has happened to me in I don't know how long. I want us to take this next step together..."

There was a long silence on the line and Sam feared she'd said something wrong. Until she heard Shawn's hushed tone. "Sam... please let me come to you. Now. Tonight. I want you so much." As she whispered her address, Sam knew her life had just changed in a heartbeat - and she could hardly wait to move forward with Shawn by her side.