Our plan was to meet at Park Central Hotel in Manhattan. The old hotel was just a couple of blocks from Central Park, across from Carnegie Hall. Only a short walk to Times Square and the Theater district, it was perfect. Months of planning and the time was finally here. I was early. My plane had arrived at 10 am and my Taxi made record time. I couldn’t get our rooms until 2pm. I went to the adjacent Starbucks and ordered coffee. As I sat and watched the traffic on 7th Ave. and sipped the coffee, I wondered how this weekend would transpire. Would the chemistry in the flesh be as strong as our online meetings had proven our compatibility through the airwaves? After all, we come from different sides of the planet. Was it just plain loneliness or was it magic? Was there romance or lust? I confused myself through my anxiety. I pondered my decision to get two rooms…yes, a wise choice. I envisioned the relationships of other online friends we had seen go from zero to 100 and then back to zero when they met in person. What am I doing I argued with myself. One thing was for sure, we both loved New York. It was the “city of romance” she had said. So romance her was my plan…I bought tickets to the theater, I planned dinners in “out of the way” Italian places I had found in a travel book, I left room for touristy stuff but relied heavily on adventure. We would do all we could in 3 days, two nights. The music, the streets, the sounds of the city at night…the walks through Central Park, how could we ask for more! What could possibly go wrong? I felt suddenly invincible as my cell phone startled me from my thoughts. “Oh, hi!” I said,” You are in a cab on your way?”” I’ll meet you in the lobby of the hotel at the bar.” “Oh…don’t worry, I’ll recognize you.” I quickly downed the coffee and headed back to the hotel. As you walked in, I immediately knew you. Though you had traveled the long flight from London, you looked as if you had just prepared yourself for an evening out. You were stunning. I quickly approached you and took you in my arms. We embraced, shared a friendly kiss and a huge smile broadened both of our faces. “Finally” you said. “We have made it!” The hotel was a New York original with the old feeling of days gone by. I was able to check us in but the rooms wouldn’t be ready for awhile so we checked our luggage and I gave you the tour. You took my arm as I walked you around. Next, we went to a cafe across the street for lunch. We found ourselves talking nonstop about our flights and the welcome into the city. I shared how I had planned the next few days, stating strongly that we can alter anything and go where you would prefer. I was relieved to hear you say “No, I want to enjoy this without knowing what comes next!” “Well then,” I said, “how is this for starters?” I leaned into you and kissed you deep this time. “I’ve wanted to do that for a very long time my dear!”