Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Demetrius Edmondson and Lereiya Dare who met on www.mate1.com on their wedding day on July 16.

Lereiya Dare, a 24-year-old clerical assistant in Jamaica, met her husband, Demetrius Edmondson, an American truck driver, through Internet connections on www.mate1.com.Five months after the first click, the couple exchanged wedding vows. Below, they tell how they were bitten by the technological love bug.

In February, I got an email from someone I had never previously communicated with. He kept it up for about a month but I did not reply. Every day when I checked my inbox there was a message from him. Sometimes, while talking to other persons on the site, his messages would just pop up. I wondered why he wouldn't stop.

I finally replied to one of his emails. He told me that he liked how I looked in the photograph posted on the site. He also sent me messages like, 'God spoke to me and said you are the one for me.' I thought to myself, "This man must be crazy."

A few weeks later, he asked for my telephone number, but I was hesitant, not knowing who he was. Two months after emailing him, I gave him the number. I even told him I had five children but that was a lie. His response was, "Well five children do not stop anything because I like you as an individual". A few weeks after talking on the phone, he asked to speak with my mom and she said she liked him.

He was excited and wanted to visit Jamaica, but I told him no. My brother, who is also in the United States, was coming home in April and after telling him about it, he said he wanted to visit too. My brother convinced me to let him come.

Accompanied to Airport

I was accompanied to the airport by friends because I was scared. When I saw him I said, "Jesus Christ I can't believe say the man really come." My mother suggested that he should stay with us. When he came I was so scared. Not knowing him, I didn't want him to get close to him. I hardly spoke to him.

First-dinner fears

We went on a dinner date to Port Royal and he told me that he did not feel comfortable; he felt like he wasted his money because I was hardly speaking to him. He was uncomfortable because he could see my fear. Only after the fourth day did I begin to feel comfortable.

He left and we continued to communicate but two weeks later he returned and that time we got involved. He proposed before leaving. Afterwards I found out that he had asked my mother for my hand in marriage on the first visit.

I accepted but in my mind I decided to think about it. Two weeks later he was back for the third time and we started wedding plans.

But by divine intervention, a friend of mine lives on the same apartment complex in Florida. My new fiancé had shown them my photograph not knowing one was also my friend. I was told that he was a nice person, family oriented, caring and loving and I did not have to feel scared.

On July 16, we were married in Jamaica and we have clicked ever since and I can't wait for us to be living together in the same country. He is family oriented and loves children.

His side of the story

"What has drawn me to Lereiya is that she does not take life for granted. Words cannot describe my emotion for her. For the last nine months, I have been to Jamaica about 10 times.

Sceptics of Internet love need to do some soul searching. Talk to God, if He tells you no, then don't do it.

Singles sites

Some popular Internet dating sites are:

Perfectmatch: Relationship website designed to help you meet someone special.

eHarmony: The fastest-growing match-making site dedicated to healthy relationships. The site also features a link for married couples, (eharmonymarriage) that helps in making unions stronger.

Friend Finder: A community of singles looking to meet and connect for friendship.

Match.com: With millions of singles in their database and the most advanced matching technology, they are the best bet to finding your perfect match.

Date.com: Has one goal in mind - to provide a safe, convenient and cost-effective online dating site.

ChristianCafe.com: This no nonsense online dating site is based on shared religious beliefs and core values.

NEXT WEEK: Another successful Internet romance and and safety tips for cyber lovers.

Additional source: http://www.quality-singles.com.