I don't know if it's normal but I think it's the only way I'll ever date. I'm probably on the schizoid spectrum so the distance is, ironically, what allows me to get close to people in the first place and find a rare person I can actually enjoy talking to.
I got my first gf at 27 and I feel pretty happy, even if it's not "real" dating. I might still be a wizard in a few years if she never visits but I don't mind. It's nice having someone to talk to without it feeling horrible and I value that a lot more.