I have read the thread with great interest.
Let's take the 'safety' aspect of this relationship as read - you don;t sound like a naaive or stupid person.
I think the appeal of this relationship so far is that it is completely under your control. There is absolutely no invasion of your personal space, your privacy, or your life, and you can hug this feeling and enjoy it, because you know where the lines and boundaries are.
All this will change wihen you meet. You will have a physical person to fit around the personality that you know and love - and you have to accept that when the nebulkous image that you have so far may crystlaise into a living breathing individual who you know is the person that you love, but is not someone to whom you are attracted.
I am absolutely not trying to rain on your parade here - my closest friend lost his wife to cancer and has emigrated to America to be with someone he met online, and they are married and blissfully happy, so I know it can, and does work.
All I would say is, be careful with your heart, and be aware that there are a number of Rubycons to be crossed before your real relationship becomes as real and important, and lasting as the 'virtual' relationshiop you have now.
I wish you every success, and i hope you will keep us up to date.
You sound like someone who has been looking for happiness, I sincerely hope that you have found it.