Need advice on changing relationship!

[platyviolence]

Hey everyone, I'm going to echo my introduction by saying again that I am not deaf, but I am involved with a beautiful lady that is. I met her online about a year and a half ago (maybe slightly longer) and over the course of that time we've spoken for hours and hours every day, literally never missing a beat. She and I have decided to finally meet this upcoming Christmas, and she will be flying in for a while to stay with me. I love everything about her, everything I know is perfect and she being deaf is nothing but an obstacle I am more than willing to work with.

The thing is, she and I have never been face to face. She is very concerned about how I will react to her, with communication, and I think we're both afraid of the unknown.

There are so many things I want to know and be prepared for, I don't know where to start.. I suppose I could begin by asking about driving in the car! I will be picking her up at the airport and it's a long drive back to my house. I am fearing the most incredible awkward silence because of me not being able to give her my sole focus. It's things like this that have me thinking and are really making me nervous. I really really want to make this work because I am absolutely head over heels for her.

Maybe someone can give me some tips and ideas on things I can do. Thankyou so much everyone!

 

[CJB]

Glad to hear you have yourself a love interest! I hope meeting in person goes well. I met my wife online and luckily for us meeting in person was like online except 10 times better.

Does she sign? If she signs the best thing you could do is try to pick up as much sign language as possible. Even getting good at finger spelling would be useful.

Whether or not she signs, it would be a good idea to educate yourself on how to communicate with a deaf person. Lighting, facing the person and so on. You can browse threads right here on AD about it.