I've met many people who I've known online first. It's always exciting and in a lot of ways, it's kind of better too. You spend tons of time talking, so you already know them on a mental and emotional level. When it comes to reality, you can see all their little quirks and habits, which just really builds on that closeness you have with them.

There are few cases where I met someone online and how they are in person is worst than what I expected.

For myself, I don't do that good meeting someone first in person. It takes these people a long time to see who I really am, it just comes more naturally for me online where my personality shines the most.