What is the ruling on love before marriage, and is it considered forbidden if it is limited to written correspondence via e-mail without meeting or voice communication?

Love before marriage is divided into two types: permissible and forbidden. The permissible type is that over which a person has no control, such as a woman hearing about a righteous man and desiring to marry him. The forbidden type is that which a person brings upon themselves by intentionally looking (at forbidden things) or by engaging in forbidden actions, such as messaging. To protect oneself from forbidden relationships, one must have sincere repentance, strong resolve, and increased faith. A girl must awaken from the illusion of a forbidden relationship, thank Allah for His concealment (of her sins), and turn to prayer, remembrance (dhikr), and supplication (du'a).