He chased her around the world for 12 years -- and never saw her once

Sometimes the "Best of Craigslist" can turn up some real doozies. Here's a story about one romantic who chased his love around the world and he never saw her once. Not once. Fact or fiction? Steamed ex or creative writing? Don't know. Regardless, it definitely fits into the "catastrophe" part of "love and other catastrophes."

I can't say I would spend 12 years of my life chasing a woman around the world, only to have her... well, you can read the story. But know that this poor schmuck followed her to Berlin, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Korea, then back to San Mataeo in California over a period of 12 years.

What I don't understand is how he managed to not see her this entire time, even with her father supposedly telling him where she was? Sounds like he potentially has a case of the stalkies.
Highlight reel of curb-stomped love
"Remember that night we spent ice skating at Fashion Island? You said that you loved me, but you had to cut off all ties with me to be able to move on. That was the last time I ever saw you. I said I’d wait for you, but you told me not to and to just move on…"

"Your father said you are studying business at Keio University in Tokyo. I looked all over Tokyo for you. From the morning rush at Shinjuku Station, to the last train on the Tozai-line bound for Nakano. You were never found."

"I received an email from your cousin (You know, Jerry’s ex-girlfriend) saying you had gotten a job in Hong Kong. I left my friends, my job, my home, my fiance, and everything Tokyo gave me to search f or you."

"It was 1999, and I had just arrived in Hong Kong, and so did you. Six months later, I found out you had left Hong Kong because you didn’t enjoy your new job."

"I’m now back in San Mateo. I haven’t been here in the bay area since 1996. All my high school friends are either married, dead, or gone without a trace. I have nobody here but my dysfunctional family. Your brother said last month that you’re still in London and will return to the bay area permanently this summer. I chased you around the world for 12 years, learned 3 languages, made quite an amount of money, just to meet you in the town where it all began."

Brutal. Granted he did learn three languages, made lots of money and traveled around the world, so it isn't all bad. But damn, 12 years? For the eye-wateringly cringe worthy ending read the full story here.

Have a Love and other Catastrophes story? Tell us.