Hello all:
I am a new member here; I am married to a Russian woman from St. Petersburg who has 2 adult children (and 1 grandchild).
The courtship was 2 years.
I can offer stories from the courtship period through the married almost 3 years period.
My most recent trip was November 1. Her son was getting married and thus I had to be there (she usually goes every 8 - 11 months and is there for 5 - 6 weeks; she went early and stayed after my 1 week visit ended). Got to meet her ex-husband who is a villager with strong nationalist feelings. He speaks no English, but managed to inform me that "America is kaput!". He actually looks a bit like the Unabomber.
I really have no advice to give at this point. Oh, perhaps I'd advise you to go slowly. The chemicals released in your brain when you first experience the Russian female who is interested in you can completely overwhelm any rational analysis of whether a particular relationship is one that will last forever (or at least a damn long time).
Meet the family. First trip and then every trip. Thanks to Skype, she has almost daily contact with her daughter's family (and that all-important grandchild) -- who like me and have always made me feel very welcome in their house.
Stay in her apartment on at least one of your trips. I learned a lot about her and her life experiences living with her.
So, first post. Done.
RB