"we declared our love for each other..."

Mike, 

You fell in love on the basis of emails and telephone conversations?? 

I'm glad it worked out...! 
I don't think I'd let myself fall in love with someone without spending
time with her. (I'd try to stop myself, as best I could...)

Bruce 

  During the process of mentoring me, we became
>closer than the aquaintences we had been for the couple years prior.  As of
>January 1st, we declared our love for each other.  The first time we
>actually met was over the weekend of Valentine's day, a wonderful week in
>fact, and the first second, we "knew" it was it.