Love blossomed through the internet and crossed boundaries and continents, uniting Maria of Virginia, USA, with her soul mate Sheikh Azhar Quereshi, a jawan in the Madhya Pradesh Special Armed Forces.

Eldest son of a nurse in the civil hospital, Quereshi came in contact with Maria around one-and-a-half years ago through chat sessions.

"We did not realise when cupid struck," said the newlywed.

The couple met for the first time a year ago when Maria visited India with her sister. It took almost a year to complete legal formalities.

Maria then converted to Islam and reached Bhopal on September 16 to marry Azhar.

"The wait was not a waste," Azhar said. Maria studied a translated version of the Quran and also learnt a few words in Hindi and Urdu, Azhar said, adding that language was no barrier.