... You know, it seems to be becoming a norm these days.
I think the major issue here is how far apart the two of you actually live from each other; having said that how do you know how the differences in your environments, upbringing, family, social behaviours will affect how you relate to each other in person.
You should be very wary of the facts that this is:
A: an internet relationship (meaning you could very well be talking to a fifty year old male who wants to see you in your tighty whiteys)
B: A text based relationship is no substitution for physical contact, be it on a physical compatibility level or all the little quirks this person could have that annoy the crap out of you.
You could very well be placing this person on a pedestal, are you sure you can deal with him / her for who and what they really are in the flesh?
Wasn't it Confucius that said "you can learn more about a man in an hour of play, than you could in a lifetime of conversation"?
It was one of them, anyway.
I honestly think if you two are within a half hour's traveling distance (or less) apart from each other that you should spend some real time together and see how you feel.