It looks like the OP left the thread in the other forum, so I'll post the same response here:
I have been totally blown away by the intensity of the emotions that I have felt here. I have never done a lot of online stuff before - no online games, a tad bit of AOL and Compuserve in the early days, but no real chat rooms or forums for years before
SL. I was amazed at how I have come to care so deeply for some of my friends and at how much the ending of a virtual intimate relationship could hurt.
The emotions are real for me - my inworld profile even states that. I have felt emotions all up and down the spectrum and I would not give it up for anything. The joys experienced make the pain worthwhile.