Lonely or in love

Soo, I'm new to this whole thread thing but almost 2 years ago I moved to this small town in a completely new state where I had no friends or family for a job straight out of college. Since, I've been here I've been extremely lonely and I've been settling for guys i dont really have a real connection with just to "feel something". Recently i met this guy online and we INSTANTLY connected. He's from my home town and around my age (every guy I've talked to has been way older). We video chat ALL day. He's the first person I talk to in the morning and the last one i talk to at night and its only been a few weeks. I feel like I'm growing feelings for him but i know its too soon to tell. The issue is that he's military and stationed on the other side of the country (I'm on the west coast and he's on the east). I'm to the point where I really want to meet him in person and he feels the same way but it turns out I'd have to go out that way to see him first. I've never been to the east coast and all my friends are HIGHLY against it. They believe he should make the move first but he wont be able to for the next several months due to work. So, my question is...Are we rushing things? I've never done long distance with someone I've never met or with anyone at all and i feel ok doing it with him but I feel that meeting him in person is the only way to know if its real. Or does it sound like I'm just lonely and once again settling for the first thing that gives me attention?