This is the page dedicated to my best friend and boyfriend, Tim, and to our relationship. ^_^ If you are interested to know, you'll find out how we met, what we talked about, and, basically, how we got together. (This page was written last year (1999), and I'll update it ASAP. Meanwhile enjoy what I've written here.)
Everything started one evening at the beginning of May, on ICQ. (If you don't know already, ICQ is an Internet Instant Message service and much more. But I'm not here to advertise ICQ; if you want to learn more about it, visit its site at www.icq.com.)

Tim&Dana
This is just a touch-up of the original pic which was taken on top of World Trade Center on Aug. 23rd, 1999.

Yes, this relationship started on the Internet and I can say that is still 60% an "Internet based" relationship, because of the circumstances. He lives in a different state and he can't move even if he wanted because he's in the Navy, under a contract, as an aviatics technician - he works on F-14s. (Do you want to see Tim's site? Click here) But after he gets out of the Navy, which will happen next year, I believe and hope things will be much better for us. :) I know people don't usually believe in Internet relationships, but this one has been doing pretty well up till now. I think we really can make it work.

Let me get on with the story... It was a nice evening at the beginning of May (I think it was May 4th) and I was still "testing" ICQ since I had gotten it only a week or so before. I had set the Random Chat Feature "ON" because I wanted to chat and make friends with other people. The Random Chat Feature refers to the fact that the chatting partners are chosen randomly by the ICQ system; it's like a "lottery"; of course, you don't have to send messages to any of the people that are "drawn"; you send messages only if you like the profile that person put as his/her Random Chat profile. My Random Chat profile read (among other things like my name, gender, or age) this message under the "Personal Interests" heading: "Hi! I'm interested in Astrology, the Occult, web design and computers. This doesn't mean that I can't talk about other things, too. :)"

I don't remember if I was talking to other people or not at the time (around 8:30PM :) when I got this message from a Random Chat user:
"Hi, Dana. You are into some really cool stuff... I'd like to talk with you a bit, if you aren't too busy. Send me a message."
I looked at the profile of the person who had sent me the above message. His name was (and still is :) Timothy and he was (and again, still is :) interested in computers, too, so I decided to reply:
"Hi, Timothy. I'm not busy. Let's talk."
Tim promptly replied:
"Timothy, huh? LOL... that's something my mom called me when she was mad.... call me Tim."
And that started everything...

As the conversation moved on, I was really impressed to find out he knew where Romania (my homeland) is and a little of its geography. He was impressed by my use of the English language since I had only been for a year in US. Of course, the explanation for this last part is that I was a good student in high school. Besides, I confess I like foreign languages a lot. ^_^

From that day on we chatted every time we were on ICQ, about anything that crossed our minds. We realized we had many things in common and we became online buddies, and maybe more than that, we became friends. And our conversations weren't limited to the Internet, only; we talked on the phone, too, about politics, religion, his problems, my problems... I remember I was upset I have an accent but he made me feel better about it. He said it's part of who I am and that is true. What began as a simple friendship, turned out to be much more.

Yeah... It has been kind of crazy. We got along so great talking to each other online almost daily, that one day, Tim asked me how I'd feel about him coming to New York City to see me. I was a little shocked at first. I hadn't expected it. :) Especially, since one of the first things he told me after we met was not to get romantically attached to him. He was sorry for what he had said concerning any romantic involvement and really wanted to come see me. Looking back at it, I don't regret one bit I told him I had nothing against him visiting me; that was the truth. Things were a little mixed up cause I had a trip to Romania scheduled and he had to make a trip to St. Maarten. But things worked out great and on August 22 he was in NYC. I must say that it was rather courageous of him to drive here a long drive of more than 14 hours... Unfortunately, he had some problems with toll ways, and one-way streets, he got lost a few times, but managed to find his way here. We had a great time visiting The World Trade Center Observation Deck, the United Nations Building, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and other sights in Manhattan. We actually went INSIDE the Statue of Liberty, in her head. ( I'll put up pics of that ASAP :) For that we had to wake up rather early but it was all worth it. We were lucky to have nice weather during the week of his stay here.

Red Hot! It was rather hard on me and on him to leave because during those days we got closer than before and it became more serious. Any fears we had about this meeting vanished. I remember it did feel a little owkward when I first saw him. I could not believe it! He was there, in front of me! :P But afterwards everything was great. :)
I'll never forget this summer. It was and IS something simply amazing.

I feel lucky to have met him because he is special. I know I can learn a lot from him, I know I can trust him, I know I care a whole lot about him, and I know he feels the same way. (His coming here, but not only this, proves the way he feels about me!)

I remember one time, not so long ago, when we stayed up late at night, for 3 nights in a row, talking and playing games, and basically doing stuff together on the Internet. It was wonderful. We shared programs... we shared his Internet connection... and we shared our thoughts... Sometimes it gets pretty intense emotionally... but I like it like that!

Here's a poem he wrote me this October. It may not have perfect rhyme, but I like it a lot:

I Think About You.

I think about you when I wake, and I wish you were there next to me.
I think about you when I'm working, and I wish you were here to watch me.
I think about you when I'm sad, and I wish you were here to comfort me.
I think about you when I'm lonely, and I wish you were here to hug me.
I think about you when I'm happy, and I wish you were here to smile with me.
I think about you when I'm singing More Than Words, and I wish you were here to hear me.
I think about you when I'm playing Risk, and I wish you were here to play with me.
I think about you when I'm eating, and I wish you were here to talk to me.
I think about you when I'm dreaming, and I wish you were here to kiss me.
I think about you, and I wish you were here.

Cancer/Capricorn Since I'm into astrology, I'll tell you a little about our Sun signs, which are determined according to the month in which one was born and how our zodiacal signs are supposed to go together. Remember, though, that in determining one's personal traits not only the Sun is important but also the other planets of the Solar System and some other astrological elements.

I was born in July: I am a Cancer (or Crab). Tim was born in December: he sign is Capricorn (or Water Goat).

Cancers are said to be sensitive, introspective, caring, protective, putting their family in the first place, ambitious when it comes to protecting themselvs and the loved ones; negative traits they may have are moodiness, clingyness, indolence, overly-possesiveness.

Capricorn people are said to be industrious, practical, disciplined, organized and work for solitude and personal integrity. The negative traits are pride, suspicion, resentfulness, pessimism, unforgiveness and justice without mercy.

In the opinion of many astrologers, and I tend to agree, the Cancer-Capricorn relationship is a highly compatible one. This relationship is characterized by tenacity and strong will-power, both partners having high standards and respect for each other. Since both sign are dependable and conservative, the union is built on material and emotional security. These signs aren't going to joke around when it comes to that aspect.
"The best aspect of the Cancer-Capricorn relationship is their utter dedication to each other and their mutual commitments toward the same goals." (Kelly Fox, astrology.net)

I hope you've enjoyed reading this page. I had fun writing and designing it. :)

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