06/11/2007
I was 37 when one of my friends, a well-known photographer who has helped a lot of Russian women, persuaded me to take pictures and bring them to a marriage agency. I was divorced for almost 6 years and felt disappointed about men, marriage and romantic relations. I never had any desire to become a "Russian bride" as it always looked strange to me. My 14-year-old daughter Katya and my job as a woman hairdresser were all-important things for me.
But after a while, I agreed to an experiment and was really surprised when I started to receive letters from different parts of the world. I decided to think it all over again and started to search, to write and to feel. I must confess now that I was wrong and international internet dating does work! Richard from Melbourne, Australia, my beloved husband, wrote to me after three months of my search. He worked as an architect in a construction firm. He was 46 and he was divorced for 11 years. He had no children. We corresponded for about three months. We talked about everything in the world: relations, children, jobs, rest, books, the inner world, politics, etc. I liked him a lot and this truly inspired me. I blossomed again! My daughter felt a bit suspicious, she was sceptical about foreign men and Russian women as true couples, but anyway, she helped me with the language. But when he at last came (it was for the New Year holidays) they became real friends. As for us, I couldn't believe that a person who lived on the other side of the world could be so familiar and close to me. We spent a fabulous week together. Then there were letters and phone calls again. My English became much better by then. He sent me presents and flowers… Then he came in the spring and proposed and of course, I accepted it. Besides I had my daughter's approval. After that, we spent time with paperwork and our next New Year we celebrated in his, now ours, house.
I completed courses that improved my skills and today I work in a well-known beauty salon. It was my choice and Richard accepted it. I was a "mail order bride" (as people call it) for a while, but I am happy they were able to convince me to join the dating site. Katya studies in college, she already has friends here. By the way, I'm 39 and we reflect upon one more child. I know it is real as it is real to become happy when you think all this is not for you. My experiment gave me love, security, chances and possibilities, confidence in tomorrow and in myself.
Now I know that I can do everything because Richard is with me.
