When we first meet someone, regardless of the way or medium that we meet, we are either attracted or not. Attraction, when pursued, eventually grows into levels of friendship and then may cross the barriers we build up, to protect ourselves, and grow into love.

Attraction usually involves an instant decision of like or dislike, based on our own subconscious criteria. If we meet someone in person, we tend to size them up physically. If we meet through letters or phone conversation or internet chat, we tend to size them up, over a longer term, by how well they converse and how interesting (or complimentary) they are while we interact with them.

It is true that people can act however they want, be whatever they want to be, over the internet. But eventually the true person leaks through the cracks and we begin to see their true self. Moral of the story? It's best to be your real self. You may eventually want to meet the person on the other end of the conversation.

On the other hand, when you do meet the 'real' person on the other end, remember that you have grown to like that person because of what's inside their mind and heart. You have found a potential 'soul mate' who thinks as you think and feels much the same way that you feel.

No one is perfect. We all have our own flaws and shortcomings. The concept of finding the 'right' person is good. The concept of finding the 'perfect' person is improbable and discouraging, because 'perfect' doesn't exist.

The way this person looks, their physical appearance, isn't as important as their inner looks, or soul. What we see is what we get, and hopefully the heart ranks the highest. We fall in love with someone's soul, not the shape or size of their body. And although a certain number of things can be done to improve physical appearance, that shouldn't be our main criteria or requirement for friendship or companionship.

We fall in love with their heart. With their inner self. With their true being. And that's what matters most.

Bob Curtis has been writing articles, short fiction and poetry for over 30 years. He has been a lay family and individual consultant for a number of years and is currently the managing director of People4People.blogspot.com and the president of Nexus Publishing, nexus4u.blogspot.com, in Midvale, Utah.