The cyber world is really no different from the real world. It's filled with weirdoes, scammers and slobs. But every now and then, you come across a caramel-toting keeper.

SKYLAR: After being married for 18 years, I knew it would be difficult to start dating again. I tried all the usual online dating sites.

If I wasn't getting hit on by 40-something men who wanted help with cross-dressing, I was getting scam letters. One day, I'd had enough, and I decided to have some fun with a scam artist. He said he lived in Colorado but was in Nigeria visiting a diamond mine.

It was the week before Valentine's Day, and he was pressing me for my last name and address. I finally gave him my sister-in-law's maiden name and my ex-husband's address. On Valentine's Day, my ex called asking why I'd had flowers addressed to his sister delivered to his house!

Not only did this man send me two dozen long-stem red roses. He also sent a box of chocolate turtles and a stuffed bear. That night I got online and thanked him. A day or two went by before I received the infamous email about him being robbed and losing his wallet, passport and credit cards. Could I send him money for a one-way ticket to Chicago? I said no, and wasn't I lucky to get my presents before that happened. Needless to say, I blocked him.

AMY: After we'd talked for a month and exchanged photos and bios, I agreed to meet a man I'd met on the internet at Outback Steakhouse. He ate two meals, drank three Long Island ice teas and ordered a meal to go! Then he stole the silverware and a loaf of bread!

NEESHA: I got back into the dating world when I was 38 and newly divorced. Over the years (I'm 49), I've met my fair share of freaks and geeks. One man actually realized he was gay after we got to know each other. No wonder he seemed more like a girlfriend than a potential lover!

And then there was the guy I agreed to meet at Denny's. He got out of an old minivan. He was very unkempt with messy hair, a black sweatshirt that had been cut in the front — I assume so it would be comfortable around his abnormally large neck — black pants that were way too short, dingy white socks and black Velcro tennis shoes. To be nice, I had coffee with him while I hid behind the dessert menu so I wouldn't be seen by anyone I knew.

EMMA: I've had lots of adventures on the internet. Most of them were forgettable; some were disturbing. One day I started a conversation with a man who'd read something I wrote and liked it. We started emailing back and forth. He said we should meet. I said no because he was 26 and I was 20 years older.

He persisted. He made me laugh. He called me one day, and we talked for hours. I still said I didn't want to meet. It was just too big of an age difference.

One day, he talked me into seeing an indie film with him — just as friends. We met on a Sunday afternoon, and he brought me caramels. We've been happily married for two years.

Does your partner have obsessive-compulsive disorder? Send your tale, along with your questions and problems to cheryllavinrapp@gmail.com. And check out my e-book, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."