In an era where life is increasingly lived through screens, it has become normal to see romantic relationships blossoming online, especially among young people. Hearts meet behind phones, even if they haven’t met in person, sharing messages, feelings, and care.
But this type of relationship raises a crucial question for young people: Is it true love that can end in a successful marriage? Or is it merely an emotional illusion that threatens the heart and delays stability?
To explore this topic in depth, “nadormagazine” met with Mariam Bawatna, a coach specializing in emotional healing and the roots of family and marital relationships.
How does love start in the virtual world?
Coach Mariam explains: “It may seem strange for someone to feel love for a person they haven’t met, but love doesn’t always need a physical meeting. It can begin with a word, attention, or a message that fills an emotional void at the right moment.” She added, “Hearts need someone who listens, who makes them feel seen and understood, and many people master this through the internet.”
However, she warns: “The danger lies in the fact that these relationships usually don’t rest on true knowledge of the other person but on the image we create of them. We fill the gaps with what we wish, not what really exists. So, we fall in love with the version we imagined, not the real person.”
Can love online succeed?
Coach Mariam believes online love relationships between young men and women can succeed but with conditions. She said: “We cannot deny the existence of successful stories that began online and ended in happy marriages.” She outlined several conditions necessary for success, such as:-
Honesty and clarity from the start.
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A realistic plan for meeting and commitment.
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Transitioning from virtual to real-life relationship within a reasonable time.
The appropriate duration for online relationships
Coach Mariam stressed the importance of timing: “After years of listening to hundreds of stories and consultations, I am firmly convinced that any relationship where the man does not initiate a formal step within 3 to 6 months at most is doomed to fade away.”
Common mistakes in online love relationships
Based on her experience, Coach Mariam said: “Unfortunately, most of these relationships don’t follow this path. Many are built on emotional emptiness, sweet talk, and empty promises. How many girls have been deceived, thinking they found the love of their life, only to be shocked by the sudden disappearance, emotional manipulation, or even financial or psychological exploitation.”
She warned against some common mistakes made without ill intent, such as:
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Girls sending money to men they have never seen.
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Relationships with anonymous people using fake names.
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Marriage promises lasting years with no outcome.
She advises all young men and women: “Make God-consciousness your compass in every step. Let your intention for getting to know someone be marriage and God’s satisfaction, not lust or emptiness. Whoever is sincere with God, God facilitates their path and lights the way.” She emphasized, “The problem is not love itself but the lack of awareness. Love is a natural human need, but the mistake is entering a relationship without awareness, boundaries, or a clear intention to marry.”
Tips for choosing true love
Coach Mariam identified signs indicating real love, whether the relationship started online or in reality:
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No blind trust: Loving someone does not mean blindly giving your heart to anyone who says “I love you.” Trust is not built on messages or fleeting sweet words, especially in online relationships.
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True love doesn’t delay your steps: “True love doesn’t break you, consume you, or postpone your future for years waiting for a mirage.” Healthy relationships provide reassurance and support that respects your ambitions and life.
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The heart is not an experimental ground: “Don’t let your heart be a testing field for people who haven’t decided who they are or what they want.” She warns against unclear relationships that can delay you emotionally and mentally, drain your energy, and damage your self-confidence.
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Seek a specialist: You can consult someone who broadens your perspective before any new relationship, a specialist who helps you understand the situation and the other party’s intentions. She encourages women to seek psychologists or relationship coaches before diving into relationships that might repeat old wounds.
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Heal before starting anew: “If you left a previous relationship hurt or broken, you need to heal first for emotional and psychological rehabilitation. Psychological healing is essential before entering a new relationship so that faces don’t change and the same mistakes don’t repeat.”
Questions to help evaluate before continuing
These include:
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How do I distinguish between true love and illusion?
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Does this relationship deserve to continue?
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How do I set boundaries that preserve my dignity and heart?
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How do I heal from a past relationship and start fresh?
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