I think some people find that they only need to be satisfied on an emotional and intellectual level - not a physical one. This opens up a whole new meaning to the word "relationship". To find someone a person considers an intellectual equal with whom they can connect on a deep and personal emotional level can most certainly mean that they have found someone they could call their lover, even without meeting in person. Provided the feeling is mutual, of course. Some folks can feel fulfilled just through sending love letters to one another. That's perfectly acceptable. Really, the only people who write the rules in any relationship are the two (or more, I suppose, if you're into polyamory) involved. Nobody else. If two people decide that a long-distance relationship is more than enough for them, then that is the end of the story. They don't ever have to meet, as far as I'm concerned. They don't need to plan to share a life in person in the future, and no, you don't have to be together in the flesh to share the emotion of love for each other. It's people who make up all these rules about needing to be physically in one another's presence to really call it a "relationship" and all this nonsense. Sure, if it is necessary for one person to meet his or her partner in the flesh, then that's what he or she needs to do if they ever want to have a fulfilling relationship. But it doesn't mean that's the case for all people. Again - the ones who write the rules in each relationship are the people involved. Nobody else.
Personally though - I've had both on line and "real life" relationships and valued and respected both types of relationships equally. There are sometimes when I want physical contact in a relationship and sometimes when I simply don't. I'd like to say to anyone who says you "NEED" to meet your potential lovers in person that I have had very successful long distance relationships over the internet and no, I feel you do not need to interact in-person to fulfill a relationship. I will say, though, that when sharing personal things with anyone online, please be sure to know that the person you're sharing these things with is who they say they are (and not a predator or your run-of-the-mill creep).
That is my view on the subject.