Meeting for the first time

Our first meeting was so easy.

I came down the ramp at the airport and looked around to see if I could see her. Over the road I saw a great big smile jumping and waving at me. I pointed to her and went "heyyyyyy!" as I crossed the road. I hugged her, she introduced me to her sister, we took hands and got into their pre-booked taxi.

Her sister than said: "I thought you said he was old."

"He is old," she said. "Really old."

"He doesn't look old," said her sister. "Not OLD old."

"Excuse me," I said. "I am here you know."

Then I asked if she'd phoned the accomodation agent, she said she hadn't. "Gimme your phone," I said. She gave me her phone. I phoned them to arrange being met to sign in. And everything just carried on easily.

We got to the apartment, put the telly on, planted our feet on the coffee table and ate snacks. And that's what we've done ever since!

It never really dawned on me until later but it really was that thing where you meet someone for the first time and it's as though you've known each other your whole life.

It wasn't really intended to neccesarily be a romance - just meeting up with an online mate for a holiday. Maybe that's why there was no awkwardness as most of my mates at that time were female anyway. But it was almost instantly apparent that we were meant to be!

You're right they are small, my wife has started growing sideways to make up for the lack of height

Kris (@inaroiles ) and I swam against the tide with she coming over here first on a visitor visa. I travelled down to London from Edinburgh and checked into a pre-booked central hotel. After a few hours I made my way out to Heathrow.

I arrived about an hour before her PAL direct flight from Manila. I waited in the Arrival Hall - phone camera set to video to capture our first moments together. Upon landing Kris quickly found the airport's free WiFi and messaged me on what's app. Unsurprisingly clearing immigration and baggage reclaim took some time.

There were several flights arriving and therefore many passengers coming through those doors that I'm sure many here will be familiar with. I knew Kris was travelling with a bright pink suitcase so my gaze was lower than one might normally expect in such circumstances.

After what seemed an eternity - constantly fiddling with camera settings and eyes peeled - I looked up to see Kris a few yards from me -- looking somewhat alarmed / surprised that I hadn't recognised her as she pushed the luggage trolley through the doors. (She also told me later that she was concerned I was not impressed with her looks - as if!)

What had happened was I was too busy looking for a pink suitcase that didn't actually appear - unbeknownst to me Kris had encased her suitcase in a cover (for additional protection against tampering / bullet insertion) of a different colour!

I was so surprised at seeing my love appearing so close to me that I clean forgot to capture the event for posterity - best laid plans of mice and confused Scotsmen!

After a slightly nervous hug and peck on cheek (or maybe lips!) Kris put her arm round mine as we made our way out of the terminal - WHICH FELT RUDDY MARVELOUS!

We arrived at our hotel and went up to our room (singular!!). I guess some may think it a bit reckless on Kris' part to agree we share a room upon first meeting but I'm glad to say she had formed an opinion of my character as our online relationship developed over the previous few months and I'm glad to say trusted me.

I have to say that everything was very relaxed and somehow just seemed right. We both felt really comfortable in one another's company with no strangeness or awkward moments. We can recommend the quality of Ibis beds!

Before heading back to Scotland for a fortnight we spent 3 nights in The Smoke - taking in the usual sights (Thames Cruise / London Eye / museums / theatre (Mama Mia - Kris' first ever visit to the theatre)

Being together seemed totally natural with no long silences - it was just wonderful. I can't speak for Kris but for me she was even more attractive in person than when we used to Skype - but of course real flesh & blood always trumps pixels and an 8 bloody hour time difference!

Enjoy and treasure the special moment of your first meeting - I still smile when I think of ours. (Especially as we'll hopefully be wed before the year's out - subject to those awfully nice folk in the Manila Embassy extracting their digits and issuing the precious and necessary visas for Kris and her boy.)

Yes!!! You were busy with your camera while I'm so nervous looking at your expression , I thought I'm in deep . But it's good I covered my suitcase .

It was worth it in the end hon - can't wait to see you again Kris - this time for good!

Well today is the day... Mica is 5'7" so height not so much an issue hopefully....

I am nervous. We didn't speak last night which didn't help.

Good luck I'm sure it will all be fine

Best of British - nervous expectation gets the adrenaline pumping - and also impacts the alimentary canal!

All the best!

Good luck max.

Dinner date in St Petersburg.

the phrase "house on fire" comes to mind

Great pics Max - obviously went very well!

Best wishes for the future.

P.S. you don't look that drunk to me!

It was weird to start with as I met her at her work in the M.A.C. store. Then we went for a quick lunch and the conversation was easy but it was the whole tactile part that was a little awkward. Hold hands? Kiss on the cheek? Four days later we were drunk having a meal in Florida and you would have thought we'd been together for ages.

Very comfortable and very 'appy. Back in Cayman now and a week left. It's going to be hard saying goodbye.

Hello @Distance waterways! I'm excited for the both of you. From my experience, we didn't feel awkward at all it's like we've met a long time ago and it's just so natural. I think as long as you've known each other through your everyday calls then I don't think there will be a problem.

Where you staying in December?

Thanks for the reply we're going to meet in Manila a couple of days in tagaytay Manila then a couple of days in boracay. Thank god for airbnb so a bit of traveling and sight seeing it should be good.

I'm seriously happy to read successful stories (like always!) from this site.
My story is the opposite.,I've tried, --for the first time, meeting someone at the airport (NAIA T1), after chatting with him for a month. But it didn't go well as planned (as per our viber chats).
Anyhow, my experience When I was waiting for him at the arrival area, I feel so nervous(-seriously nervous!) it felt like my heart will come out of my chest.
That first time experience! I made a banner so he can see me immediately-no use. The banner was upside down. But he sees me anyway, i was all smiling trying to be sane on that moment. He hugged me, he didn't kiss me. Obviously, he didn't read what's in the banner!
So I booked Grab a Taxi and head to the apartment, minimal talks inside the taxi. Gets to the place, kissed there, get a drink..... To make the story short, it was fine on the first 4 days..I got anxious about how he thinks, I fell silence in my own thoughts. We had those few minutes silence, I can't start a conversation with him(I tried). Then he said he wants to do his things(check the places and such, explore, bla bla bla--on his own). Downside was, I need to work 3pm to 12mn, he said he doesn't want to start the day slow, he wants to maximise his time spending in the Philippines (Coz it's his holiday too!) I do understand. I agree, I spent the working week going home in my apartment, and let him do "his thing". This means not seeing him, nor know what he is doing over the city we both are in. (Painful it is btw!)
But the week after was all supposed to be the time for us together having quality time. It didn't happen. He said he felt I'm unbalanced(seriously! Thanks to him, I feel horrible about myself!). Then he started counting the money he spent flying to Philippines and the ones while I was with him for the 4 days.(guys, do I owe him anything for it?! ) I didn't force him to spend, in fact I spent taxi fares and small contribution as much as my own money is concerned!)
Sorry this is a little long of a story. Not sure if any member here had the same experience, but sometimes, things just don't work out as planned. I'm not discouraging anyone! I'm just telling my story as it is the opposite. We can't force someone to be ready for us if he/she isn't ready at all, nor not considering you special in any way, even if you tried.

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience it seems to me that the guy wanted a fall back in case he didn't find anyone else while he was out there. But not all westerners are like him and I hope you go on to find someone that deserves you

Some people really don't appreciate who they are with. He spent time chatting with you and you made the effort to meet with him. Not everyone is like he is. He should have treated and respected you better than he has. There is much better people out there than him. You deserve better than him so probably a blessing that he didn't treat you as he should have done. Your better off without that type of guy.

Thanks @Distance waterways.... I just consider the experience one of those sad stories. Something to move forward to, that's life anyway. Looking at the bright side, if he's not the one, someone else's is, just don't know where he is yet (lost!).

All the best for your first time meeting with gf. And the happy life that awaits both of you!

Yes we did chat almost everyday. It's just sad to realise that things didn't work out. It didn't take him too long to realise I'm not the right person for him. And I wasn't given chance to try and prove it. Work schedule gets in the way, I have done all the efforts to free 11days for a leave from work. All useless. Sigh!
You're right @Stupot10, I don't deserve this kind of guy.