I am sufferng with the end of an online relationship, not romantic. It started on a support board on another site. She is very supportive there and has been there for about 5 years or so. From very therapy-like support (this person has a doctorate in psychology but isn't a therapist) it shifted to writing daily about daily things in life. She told me about bathing her cat, books she read, busniess concerns, travel, etc. There were times she posted to me just a short not to say she was thinking of me and hoped I had a good day and Goodnight. This person felt motherly to me at first, then if felt like writing to a beloved aunt or something like that.

I recently referred to this relationship as a kind of friendship. At the same time I knew I needed more time away from the computer and suggested correspondnig less frequently. This began the end. In a short week it was all over. She was offended or angry about my calling our 'relationship' a friendship and states she does not provide friendship or social relationships there. Daily corresponding to nothing.

I am devastated. Hurting beyond words. Daily corresponding, exchanging recipes, talking about our cats, telling about tavels and favorite book authors...... I know it wasn't a friendship IRL but it was a close relationship. She often referred to the bond we have/had.

Now she's gone. All I wanted to do was to write less often, focus more on real life things, get away from the computer.

I am just in so much pain. I feel like she pushed me out of the room and slammed the door in my face. She always and still says I matter to her. But I don't feel that. I just feel pain.

Am I nuts? Wasn't this a real relationship? Online and not IRL of course, but it was real, wasn't it?

Thank you for listening. If you have any words of wisdom or support, I would so appreciate them.