Despite withholding aspects of one's life and information too, I believe a connection of sorts is possible here, I guess it depends on the individuals involved; some will connect better than others and some not at all.
I do not believe social media and online methods of communication to be the best form of it, I'm a face to face guy, preferring to read the body language and enjoy the connection that can bring: Facial expressions, hand and body movement and other things, the way the sunlight and breeze catches a girls' hair for instance. That's not possible via social media. Having said that, I know connections can be made...and broken too. It's easier to lie over the internet, in real life not so easy.
On the awkwardness in a first meeting...I think that depends on the people and how compatible they are, how natural the connection is. I've had awkward meetings with people and some that have gone really well...as you say, being oneself is the key. We can't be anyone else so might as well own being ourselves.
