In a long distance relationship at 16... but should it be wrong just because it's long distance?

I've been dating this guy (who a friend met online and introduced me), which I've never done before, for about 2 years now. I've dated guys in my home town and ended up being practically d, stolen from, and just plain used. I'm 16. And the men in my family aren't that impressive either; a child molester for a real dad and an alcoholic for a step dad. I feel so much for this guy I know so well now, and I' kind of glad about him being far away so that we didn't rush into things and not take the time to get to know one another. Of course, we did some things like send a few pictures that I am not proud of and wish to everything that I could take them back, but I can't and we both deeply regret it. My mother knew about him, and didn't really like the idea 'Because he was so far away he wouldn't add anything really to my life,' But he has. He's given me hope, and hope is something that I really needed and still need. But my mother found out about the pictures and now I don't hear the end of it; I'm forbidden to talk to him and or contact him in anyway. Not only did this horribly mess up me and me mother's relationship, but the hope and love that I got from him that helped me so much. I'm afraid my mother has it all wrong and I've tried talking to her, but my mother isn't just someone that you can go up and talk to about it because it's like you're forbidden to even think about it. We both regret it, and we both want to be together soon. He turns 18 in November of the next year, and I don't until July of the year after that. I'm not sure how to plan anything because I have to hide my intended future from my mother. How can I get her to even listen to me or consider him again?