For Newcomers! A success story. :)

[MaxxumUSA]

I was going to write this in response to a newcomer in another thread - but I think this might be better to be addressed to all newcomers.

This is my story - a success story.

First let me tell you that if you think you're ready to settle down with a good woman - then you just might be and I encourage you to move forward in the process of finding your FSUW.

Next I will tell you my experience.  I started my search about one year ago - almost to the day.  The first site I found did NOT give me an opportunity to get direct contact information from the women.  Then I found Elena's Models.  Actually she has an ebook "How to Marry a Girl Like Me" that I read.  I pretty much followed her advice in that book while taking it in with a grain of salt.  I did NOT have the benefit that you have because I did not even find forums until after I made my first trip to Russia.

So I found an honest site - Elena's models.  I wrote a detailed introduction letter - and had it translated to russian.  While I was waiting for it to be translated I spent those days putting women that interested me in my favorites list.  I viewed thousands of profiles and narrowed that field down to about 40 women.

I also put some thought into my profile.  I posted MANY photos of myself and my environment.  Some photos in a suit, most photos in casual wear.  The photos showed activities I enjoy.  Snowmobiling, motorcycling, cooking on the grill on my deck, etc.  I have tattoos so I made sure to show a few in the photos to avoid surprises.  In my wording on the profile I was direct in my intentions but did not write a boring profile.

When the translated intro letter was done, I wrote 10 or so of my favorites out of the 40 I had narrowed.  A short custom introduction, then the long translated letter.  Out of the 10 letters I received 9 positive responses.  One of them was a nice woman named Elena.

Me and Elena started emailing before new years, then she sent me another photo of herself after new years with her nephew.  Not a sexy photo - just a regular snapshot.  I took one look at that photo and said - she's mine.  LOL

We exchanged real email and skype information within the first 3 emails.  After that we were communicating without the help of Elena's Models website.

I digress and talk about the IMBRA information.  I filled it out but Elena's Models never gave my Elena the information.  I DO have a criminal record so this was important.  I ended up telling my Elena about my criminal history as soon as I found out she did not receive it from Elena's Models.

Back to the story...  Shoot...  this editor stinks.  I just lost a bunch of text.  Oh well...  I'll type again in wordpad and paste here.

Ok...  So me and Elena started talking on skype regularly Jan 3 of this year.  We talked every day at least 45 minutes throughout all the time I was not with her in Russia.  Within a few short days of that first conversation I had plane tickets and a russian visa to visit her.  On Feb 2 I arrived in her home town - Samara, Russia.  I spoke NO russian and her english was poor at the time.  I had NO BACKUP PLAN.  Do not do that like I did - it is unwise.  Most people in Russia DO NOT speak english.  I was extremely lucky because we hit it off spectacularly and managed to communicate.

We spent 4 days together then I extended my visit for one more day.  The final evening of my first visit we told each other we wanted to be married.

My second visit to her was the end of march and the first three weeks in april.  This second visit I proposed and she accepted.  We had already started the K-1 paperwork before my second visit.  BTW the engagement ring I gave her was a family heirloom which she appreciated wholeheartedly.

I visited her two more times for a total of four visits covering a total of two months or so face time.  On the fourth visit she was approved for her K-1 visa and we flew back to the USA together on Aug 30 of this year.

On nov 10th we were married.  We are extremely happy together.

I can't speak for all russian women because Elena is the only one I have ever been with.  But from my experience there are huge differences between american women and my Elena.  My Elena takes care of me.  It is important for her to be a woman and be supportive of me in that regard.  She does not compete and try to be the man in the relationship.  We are best friends.  We help each other with love and comfort.  Where american women have typically tried to compete with me - my Elena is my life partner.  She completes me and I do my best to complete her.  We have a strong physical connection (enough said about that).

As for her english - it was very basic and broken when we first started talking.  Through all of our hours of communication - she picked it up fairly well.  By the time she came to the USA she tested pretty high in the ESL tests for school.  She currently attends ESL classes 3 times a week for 3 hours per session.  They started her in the highest level class.

I don't know what else to say about this.  My Elena is beautiful, loving, caring, and quite simply much better a person than I could ever hope for.  She is the most beautiful woman in the room just about everywhere we go.  She loves me unconditionally and even tolerates all of my bad qualities.  She is slow to anger and we almost never argue.  Having said that she is also a strong person and certainly tells me when I need to straighten my act up or change something.  But she does it as a woman.

I believe for every man who is interested in a wife and family - that if he has the means - he can find a good woman in Russia.

So...  if you want to know more about my story you can view some of my first posts here on RWD.  There is a lot of detail in my earlier posts about most of the trips to Russia.

Oh...  in case any are wondering.  I am 39, she is 31.

[SANDRO43]

Quite a good summary, Maxxum: simple, factual, no fancy frills .

[Rvrwind]

Having met you & your lady in Moscow, albeit briefly, I can say she is a very nice lady & you make a great couple. I wish you nothing but good things for the future, two great folks who found each other. My best to you both.

[ionizer]

Maxxum, congratulations on your marriage!!  When I read your first TR a couple of days ago, I was hoping it would work out, and as I read the others I was sure it would!  With the way you described Elena and your realtionship, the love you feel for her seemed ingrained in the pages.  You are a lucky man to have found such a beautiful, fun, -- and cool woman (she didn't kick your a$$ when you joked about bringing the twins home!!).  I was gonna write this when I read your married report the other day, but it was getting too late by the time I reread your TRs.  Thanks for taking all the $h!t, and forging ahead with your TRs and this report, it gives hope that you can find love without the dirty feel of WMVM...   Athough WFV2or3 might not be so unpalateable.   And if I don't hit it off with someone right away -- oh well, I still get to experience the beauty and culture of Russia/Ukraine.  So I'll keep trying!
Again, much congratulations, and my best wishes and hopes for your and Elena's future,
Ken

[bobcat]

Maxxum, congrats and best for your future life. I have read your progress over time and am largely a lurker here while time permits.
I too am a similar age group to you (37) and met my wife also through EM. We spent a larger time corresponding/meeting before we decided that we wanted to enjoy a life together. We had perhaps 4 times in Russia, another 2 in Europe/UK while I was working ( I am Australian) and one in Ukraine during European summer with some other family there. We are married for 1 year next month, she is living here for 16 months.

Life is great, and we will be together always.

Just wanted to comment that i consider a success story as one of us caring for each other on our deathbeds at age (you place it here).....nothing is a success in marriage until this time IMHO - until this time happens, we will live and enjoy our lives!!

Best to you and your wife, and have an enjoyable first Christmas and NY together in your home!!

[Lily]

I also have seen Maxxum and Elena in Moscow together and join Rvrwind in the point that they are a great couple together. They just look like they have been created one for the other.

IMHO if Elena has the best of a woman, Maxxum is a perfect specimen of a real man. A vivid, open, talkative, strong and handsome person. No wonder for me that women are after him. I don't see men like Maxxum on dating sites that often, unfortunately. 

So everyone gets what he / she deserves. Well done guys! 

[MaxxumUSA]

I also have seen Maxxum and Elena in Moscow together and join Rvrwind in the point that they are a great couple together. They just look like they have been created one for the other.

IMHO if Elena has the best of a woman, Maxxum is a perfect specimen of a real man. A vivid, open, talkative, strong and handsome person. No wonder for me that women are after him. I don't see men like Maxxum on dating sites that often, unfortunately. 

So everyone gets what he / she deserves. Well done guys! 

Well...  It will be difficult walking around today while I carry around my newfound big head!  Hehe.  Thank you for the compliment, Lily.