I see people claiming love with people they met online. It's a sad way to keep youself secluded from the world. People you've never met, that can portray themselves as anything but what they really are, cannot be someone you love.
It's a start, but not love. You have to be with this person. Experience things with this person. Have contact with this person. People are unconsciously, well sometimes consciously, different online. That cannot set your bar.
Enjoy your friendship. If you decide to meet, do it safely and with support of (real) friends and (real) family. Keep in mind, the person you are meeting is an ideal person in your head. The reality will be much different. Keep an open mind and have no expectations of that person. Also, don't be someone you're not to make someone else happy.
