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Dear Pastor,

I am 24 years old and I am living overseas. My parents are Jamaicans, but I was not born there.

I came to Jamaica two years ago and I met an incredible young lady. She is beautiful and polished and I fell in love with her. We have developed a relationship online and our love for each other has got stronger every day. When we started out together, my mother told me that the relationship would not last and I should really look for someone I can see and touch. So while I was talking to this girl, I was looking around, but no one has impressed me as my Jamaican girl.

I have a photograph of her in my room and she has sent me lovely photographs of herself. I know I am not going crazy. I am doing a master's degree and I will graduate next year. I would love to marry this girl. My mother is not giving me any encouragement; she thinks that I should get to know this girl better. My father has promised to pay her way from Jamaica to be at my graduation, and I told my dad if this girl would consent to come, she would have to have a visa. That might be the only problem these days. Both my parents agree that she could come and stay with us for a couple of weeks. I would love that.

This girl tells me that she is not looking at any other man. She used to date a guy, but after meeting me, she has stopped going out with him. She also told him about me. Therefore, I cannot disappoint this girl. I know my letter may sound crazy, but I would love to hear how you feel about this matter.

M.L.

Dear M.L.,

One thing I know for sure is that you are in love. Your mother is not wrong in telling you to go easy and get to know this young woman very well. She is not running away. True love is something that one develops, so take your time.

Long-distance relationships can be very challenging, but if you are able to maintain good communication, they can work. So I am not here to tell you to stop loving this young woman. It would be wise however, to keep the love that you have for her in your heart and not allow it to go to your head. I wish you well. I hope that this young lady will be faithful to you and you will be faithful to her while both of you are apart.

Pastor