Premarital relationships

Q: I met a boy and spoke to him for the purpose of marriage. It didn't take me long after that to decide that I would like to marry him. My parents did not have a problem and were happy as well. I have now been speaking to this boy for over a year because he says he still needs time to decide. According to him, he does like me but he is just very confused about getting married. Please advise me on what to do as I know now that it is haraam for me to continue speaking to him. I did try stopping but he always says that he will decide soon and he also gets upset and has a problem eating and sleeping when I do stop. Please advise on what he can do as well to help him decide.

Q: 

1. Is it permissible for a male and female to converse with one another via email before nikah is performed.
2. If the couple is proposed and the girl talks to her future sister in law via e mail and she leaves a certain amount of text for the boy to read directly which he reads annnd replys directly to, is that halaal?
3. Is it permissible if a third person reads the email/text message? If yes what requirments must the third person meet?