A few observations/facts-
U.S. Immigration requires marriage within 90 days after arrival on a K-1 visa. 90 days is not as long as you think. There must be total commitment to do this. A few visits of a week to ten days and daily communication for 13 months is not enough to totally get to know someone. It was discussed and agreed that what we are trying to accomplish is exponentially more difficult than marrying and living with someone from your own neck of the woods. Acknowledging the hardships we will face and how we must learn to compromise more than the average bear along with patience is paramount to a successful relationship when removing someone from their homeland. It helps a great deal to find someone who has the same ideals, hobbies and outlook on life. There are frustrations and there is still a language barrier to deal with. For some odd reason I chose to spend my life with someone who did not even begin to learn English until 17 months ago - American man was not on her wish list. And that she is a proud woman she hesitates going to social functions because her English is not so good. But getting better every day. She hates most American food. My state does not recognize a driving license from Russia so we are still waiting for the drivers test - August. And she is discovering the Universities are not free. Quite costly actually. But she is studying all manners of grants. Except for the fact that I still haven't convinced her that Drexel University is a little over the top, we are making headway toward a mutual decision on how to best get her credits transferred and which colleges to complete her degree. And trying to convince her that although one profession sounds good it is not always the best choice.
She likes to sleep until ten every day but she also likes to stay up till midnight. She is a hard working woman and takes pride in everything she does. It is a completely different experience from any woman I have ever lived with. God was smiling down upon me when I met this lady. There is still a lot of work to do and much to learn, but it is amazing that we both feel we have known one another forever and many times have the same thoughts. It seems now that we have been together for years but it has only been since March. I could not be happier with the decision I made. It is still new. She has visions of next year's garden and what trees/shrubs to plant around the place. And is already making plans for future summer trips. Grand Canyon here we come.
The bottom line is this. Both have to realize there are going to be hardships. Both have to willing to compromise - a lot! And both have to be totally committed acknowledging that it is not an easy road to take.
For anyone who chooses to marry a Russian woman be ready for someone who is hard headed, committed to family life and honest to a fault(!). But someone who will also admit it when they are wrong. And also one who places her husbands happiness equal or greater than her own. Perhaps I found a gem but from my few experiences with FSU women I don't believe she is the exception.
As I and others have said, it is not an easy road nor one for the meek. But it is well worth it.
Gee danny how many dentures did you have to purchase to get a woman? Sounds like the aussie way, hey baby, how would you like a new set of teeth and a ticket to Oz to live with a retarded mongoloid?? That has them running to the airport.