I consider myself to have had 2 of these such relationships (and if you asked both of the guys, they would probably deny the entire thing .. because they're pricks). One of them .. I would wake up at 3am to talk to him before he went to school (since he was east coast, and I'm west coast). He enjoyed it, but told me that's something he'd never do, not even for me .. that kind of hurt.
I really don't see how you can get the full emotion and romance of a relationship online. Being able to call them is a big thing, but how often are you able to sit in his or hers arms showing them how you really feel (and I don't mean sex). Face to face contact can be really .. really emotional. During the time I was with these 2 guys .. I was a strong believer in distance relationships .. but now after 2 failures and the pain I've gone through .. I'm starting to realize that it might not be as great as it looks. You have to ask yourself .. what's going to happen? Someone has to budge if you want the relationship to last. Someone has to relocate at one point to be closer, or it will most likely end in heartbreak.
On a side note .. I get to go see Wicked again in 2 weeks
Awesome show.