how to tell them?

I've been with my BF for over a year I love him to death but if I'm being honest we've never met in person he lives in NY I live in NJ we met online and we fell in love I've never cared for anyone like this he was there for me when no one else was I was in a horrible depression last year and he pulled me out of he's the only one who's ever made me feel safe and secure with myself I know one day I wanna marry him I've been hiding him from my parents they have no clue I'm with anyone I'm so scared they'll be mad and make me stop talking to him were both 16 currently I wanted to wait until my 17th birthday so I can ask if I can date (that's when they have said they'll allow me to date) but lately it's seems they're getting closer and closer to finding out I really want my parents to accept him especially my dad he's so strict but I love him so much I want him to see that and understand it I don't know how to tell them I don't wanna stop talking to him I love him