I've never been in a fully "romantic" LDR, until recently, though I did meet a guy on these boards quite a while back who lives in England (I live in the USA), with whom I (we) formed a very, very intimate and loving friendship (one which has "romantic" overtones, but which we realize isn't realistically possible to pursue).
I've never seriously considered a VLDR (very long distance relationship -- more than a thousand miles), until I met M here in these boards. I live in New Mexico and she lives way the heck up in Minnesota. We, of course, started out as online friends. As time went on we realized that we have a tremendous lot in common and that we "resonate" in a simply magical way. It wasn't long before the only honest way to communicate (email, mostly) is to throw the L-word around a lot. Even though we haven't spent face-to-face time, and cannot do so until September.
I fully know that she does love me, and that I do love her. We know that if we don't end up being lovers-slash-romantic-partners that we'll be totally awesome intimate friends, so there's no good reason for us not to shower one another with digitized flowers and L-words. Besides, I'm smitten. Seriously. I think of her and my heart sings. I think it's true for both of us. Dang!
Look folks, I've never really "dated" much, and this makes "dating" all the more challenging within the above-provided context. Instead of "dating," I'd just hang out with people ... and if someone suddenly grabbed my hand or kissed me, or I kissed them. Bang! There it goes -- off to the races.
What "M" and I are doing now is, I guess, dating. Only we're doing it VLD (very long distance). Now add to this that almost all of my "romantic" experience is with men, and she's quite not a man, wowza! -- right?
I'm pretty much blaming this whole thing on the internet! (No, honey, there's really no need for "blame" -- I'm kidding!)
Gawd I love her! Besides being super intelligent, very sweet and loving, cute and sexy... and wonderful in a thousand ways, she has very good taste in men!
I thought maybe I wanted advice. And advice is okay. But I really know how to handle this okay. It'll be like any other hanging out situation, hanging out as friends, and if someone grabs the other's hand, or offers a kiss, ... bang, it's off to the races. Maybe I just came here to brag?!
Edit: I suppose I should also add that if things turn out how they likely will between us, we'll work out a way to spend a lot of time together in near space, up close (physically, geographically). I'd not be happy if I couldn't hold her and spend time with her hiking and stuff.... I'd miss her terribly! (I already do!)