In April of 1997, I purchased a computer. My intent was to use this computer to advance my writing aspirations and handle my personal financial business more efficiently. A particular accounting customer of mine both teased and tempted me to visit an Internet chat network.

Peggy and Joe (Gordon), Wedding Day 10-11-97

Purely out of curiosity and a keen awareness of my loneliness for intelligent conversation, I discovered the search engines of the Internet, which ultimately led me to the WBS Chat Network. I visited and subsequently became a member of the "40 Something" Chat Room. In the beginning, I judged this network to be a place for frivolous entertainment. I did not deem this particular arena as an actual access to literally meeting people. I thought of it only as an adult form of entertainment. That is, until I met Gordon.

Using this chat network, a person is able to see what their fellow chatters are saying to each other and respond at will. It also allows, of course, private chatting, while involved in the public chat room. Gordon, a 44-year-old farmer in Kansas, began to talk to me.

I enjoyed his intellect, his apparent honesty and admired his morality. He was divorced and had three children with whom he lived. He had been married 18 years and was lonely and searching for companionship in his life. In my association with fellow chatters, I had discovered the ICQ network, which allows you to chat privately, one-on-one.

Both Gordon and I downloaded this software from the Internet and discontinued our chatting on the WBS Chat Network. This allowed us to talk to one another as though we were on the telephone except without voices. The screen allows you to see what the other person is typing as they type. Gordon and I spent hours getting to know each other.

Those hours turned into months. We began to greet each other each morning and evening on the Internet. Using a computer screen to communicate, we found there were no inhibitions between us. We could talk openly about anything, even our deepest insecurities, fears, emotions and dreams. We found we had much in common.

I came to know this man spiritually. From our conversations, I came to know who he was inside first, rather than basing my judgements upon the physical appearance and behaviors, as one normally would do first. After several months of meeting on the net daily, Gordon and I decided to trade pictures so we began to correspond by mail as well. To my delight, Gordon was not only an exceptional man inwardly, but outwardly as well. Physically, he was very handsome. He was tall, well built and a very sexy 44.

It was July 1997 when we traded photographs. In August, Gordon invited me to visit in person. This was a very challenging invitation for me, as I lived in Alabama at the time, a distance of almost 1300 miles from Gordon, who was in Kansas.

I accepted Gorgon's invitation and on August 17, 1997, set out for Kansas in my 1994 Dodge van. My best girlfriend thought I had lost my mind. She was horrified that I had met a complete stranger on the Internet and was setting off for God only knows where, alone and unarmed.

Family photo of Joe, Peggy, Jon, Ben,
Baby Kaitlynn, Lizz, and Ashley

Naturally, she feared for my safety, worrying that I might become a statistic in the missing person's bureau. Of course I laughed because I felt I knew this man and his children well since we had spent so many hours together via the internet.

I set out for Kansas excited about my journey, as I had never been west of the Mississippi before. For me, this was to be an adventure I would never forget. I prayed to God for a safe trip as well as guidance in case Gordon and I did not like each other as much in person as we did on the Internet.

My journey took me 22 hours. I courageously drove straight through stopping only for food and fuel. My excitement kept me going without tiring. I spoke with both my girlfriend, and Gordon, intermittently throughout my trip via cell phone so I felt I was never alone.

I was completely unafraid, until I arrived in Kansas. Then I felt apprehension. I asked myself a thousand questions. Would he like me in person? Would we remain friends or would something more develop? I hoped for something more.

I was 40 years old, divorced and was recovering from a long illness. I was lonely and wanted what every woman wants: a home, a family and a man who loves them. I wanted the white picket fence with all the trimmings.

When I arrived at Gorgon's home, it was as though I had come home for the first time in my life. I had moved around much of my life and never had established roots, even in my youth with my parents. I had never really belonged anywhere.

But Kansas was home. Gordon and I had fallen in love over the Internet and meeting in person had turned out to be merely a formality. It was as though Gordon had always been mine, and his children as well.

My visit to Kansas, initially, was supposed to be for one week, but it lapsed into three weeks. Reluctantly, I returned home to Alabama…but only to pack up and move to Kansas. Gordon and I were married on October 11, 1997.

We are happily in love and a family. I can never return the gift that the Internet has given me. I can only share my experience with others and hope that they too might realize happiness through the Internet as well. I realize everyone cannot be as lucky as I.

But the one in a million chance is out there on the internet for every man or woman looking for their soul mate. I know because I found mine. My husband and I now use the computers, as we have two, for business and pleasure. We operate our financial business via computer; our home business through computer and our children use the computer and the Internet for games and education.

Soon, Gordon and I hope to have our home business on the Internet. For me, and for my husband, the Internet has made our dreams come true.