When they did meet in person, they were both disappointed. She wasn't anything like he expected. She was rude and unfriendly. When he returned home, she broke his heart by her failure to return his calls and ultimately sent him a Dear John e-mail. Mercs feels that love on the Internet isn't real love.
People fall in love with the idea of being in love and get caught up in it.
I know I did. They talked for eight months over the Internet. Tasslehoff listened to her problems and was there when her husband wasn't. When they met in person they decided fate had brought them together. I know I've found my soulmate and this is meant to be.