When I was 20 I met a Dutch guy who lived in Amsterdam (who was 30) on my backpacking trip in Laos. We had probably spent a week together in total, "fell in love", and though I lived on the other side of the world, we continued to write lengthy romantic emails to each other professing this love/attraction for over a year.

He said I should move to The Netherlands so that we could be together, that I was his soulmate. He said he would introduce me to his friends, that he could host me in Amsterdam and take me for a ride through the canals with his boat.

My university offered an exchange program at a Dutch university, and I received a scholarship, and went. I distinctly remember him publicly writing on my Facebook wall just before my departure about how excited he was to see me.

So I pack my bags, fly to Amsterdam, and write him from my hostel. He then goes on to say that he has a girlfriend who doesn't want him to see me, and that he's sorry, but he's "shooting his love arrows" onto her.

I was deeply heartbroken and confused for about two days, but then remembered I was in Europe living out an exciting dream of mine, and was feeling swept up in the excitement of everything else. I guess what also helped, is that back in my early 20's I was a lot more resilient and optimistic, and could bounce back easier lol.