This letter was submitted by the citizen of the United States to the INS in order to get an approval for the Fiancйe Visa

To fully understand how I met my fiancй, I first have to explain my thought process that led me in her direction. It made sense to me that becoming involved with women initially by their physical attractiveness, and subsequently developing an intimate relationship before I really got to know them mentally and emotionally was a self defeating, self fulfilling prophecy. I wanted to avoid that cycle because after only a few months and several heartaches later, one finds that his significant other may carry a lot of emotional baggage.

I decided that I deserved better. I deserved to be treated the way I should be treated and would settle for nothing less. What that meant, was that I would remain platonic in a relationship so that I could spot the "red flags", and respond to them in a healthy manner. I was determined to remain alone and focus on my personal goals, health and happiness. I was resolute to make friends first with anyone I met and thoroughly test anyone who displayed an interest in me.

One day, I realized a very simple way to meet someone, get to know them intellectually, emotionally and intimately without having the sorted guise and cloud of physical chemistry to muck my reasoning. I supposed it prudent to "get into some-one's head" and find out what they were truly about; discover their emotional health, thought processes and intellect, communication skills and conflict resolution, spiritual beliefs, values and morals, personal and relationship history, motives, responsibility, maturity, happiness, commitment (or the lack thereof), interests, inspiration, attitude, ability to give and receive love, and the determination not to settle, like myself, for anything less then what they know they deserve. It was my belief that somewhere, out in this big world of ours, there existed a woman with those qualities and I was determined to find her.

I turned to the Internet. At first I corresponded with several people, putting them to the test. Once I had determined, through written and verbal correspondence, that the person was not compatible with me in any of the above areas, I resumed my search. One night I browsed the personal ads and found the woman who had written several things that intrigued me. I wrote her and she responded. She was as curious and, as it turned out, as patient as I was. It didn't take long to realize she was special. After many months of speaking to her on the phone and swapping e-mails I attended a party at a friend's house. I was telling a group of people what I had been doing. This one woman asked me, "why would you even consider doing such a thing? I don't even go on blind dates." I thought for a minute and told her this. "You are a pretty woman and I can see how men would appreciate your company because of this. A few years ago, and at a time when I wasn't nearly as in tune as I am now I might have been one of those men. To tell you the truth, I know her (the woman on the other side of the Universe) a lot better than I know you (the woman at the party).

Natasha never presented any of these red flags.  In fact, she was supportive in all our many talks (we would chat on the phone for hours at a time and several times a week). The time came when I had to meet her. I had no interest in going to Russia to meet a lot of Russian women and hopefully find a mate. There was only one woman I knew that made me feel appropriate... like a man. Natasha stirred my soul, was supportive of me in all my life's decisions, and honest to me and herself. She was everything I wanted in a woman. All those qualities I hoped to find in a person came to fruition through her life and daily walk.

When I met her in person, it turned out that the physical chemistry was definitely there. She was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside. I fell in love with her heart first and foremost before anything else. We spent endless moments together while I was there. We dined, romanced, courted, danced together outwardly and inwardly, walked, talked, and shared with one another. Our conversations simply picked up where we left off on the phone, e-mails and letters. Since we met, we have grown closer...

Now, almost two years has past since our marriage vows, and I am the happiest man on earth. I hope and wish everyone will benefit from the same patience, persistence, and time for bonding that we took in getting to know each another

Email me if you have comments or a wish to talk to the real person behind this story, and I will forward them to her. You can also post your comments on our forum, referencing the story