New Member & Privet

[chooter]

Hi all, new to the forum.
I would like to introduce myself as Experienced to Russia since 2003 and a couple of engagements that I personally ended,  I've been to Russia many times with two failures and had a surprise waiting on me on the last flight from Moscow to Atlanta thru JFK about 6 month ago.

My age is 65, excellent health and take no meds. I'm a self employed engineer and designer not broke and can afford pretty much whatever I like and want in my laid back lifestyle so I know the expense of doing the RW thing. (trust me on this one) I also have no desire to retire so I'm up and going all the time.

Now back to my experience on my last flight home. I said goodbye to my friends at SVO and told them I would return to visit them again in September. I consider these two people my extended family in Russia and care for them greatly. They were sad that I had another failure but understood and said a RW was out there waiting on me and we would meet. Little did I know their words were true.

When I boarded the plane and took my seat a lady was putting her carry on over us and then sat down next to me. We were very polite to each other and she spoke excellent English. She asked me a lot of questions about why was I visiting Russia and was pleased to know that I had special friends there to visit at least a couple times a year.

We talked a lot and she told me her age was 58, floored me I was thinking more like 40. She is tall and of average build and extremely mature and very pretty. She told me she had been living in Atlanta for 8 years and was a US Citizen and was an educator. She had been to Moscow visiting her family and friends and had to get back home for the next quarter.

The flight home was 13 hours and we talk the complete time. we went through Customs together at JFK and was on the same flight back to Atlanta. We managed to swap a seat so we could sit together and we just kept right on talking all the way to Atlanta.

We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses and I promised her I would call her the next day which I did and the calls didn't stop and now we're engaged.

I had a lot of experiences on my trips to Russia and learned many things one being to take my time and make sure this is the lady I wanted to marry. I learned that age difference does and can make a difference and can make or break a marriage, not saying it hasn't worked for you, everyone is different.

I've learned more from this lady in 6 months about RW and a relationship with one than in the last 10 years being engaged to two younger ladies that ended as failures.  I'll write about those two failures later and why they were failures. I'm still learning from my fiance it seems every time we're together and making plans for our wedding. Small age difference, awesome maturity and extremely intelligent and the same goals in a lasting marriage.

I had no idea this was going to happen to me on that flight back home. I called my friends in Russia when i got home and laughing told them I thought they had set me up. They laughed back at me and had to hear all the details so I told them. They've talked to her on the phone several times and she'll be going with me to visit them when we return in September.

Sometimes who you're looking for can be found right under your nose, It happened to me and I've never looked back only to the future. She told me there are many single RW in the Atlanta area and not difficult to find if you open your eyes and also understand they care not to be treated like an AW.

I've been enjoying reading and learning from this forum. Maybe some of my experiences can help others not make some of the mistakes I did.

[Belvis]

Interesting story, thanks. So men on board should pay attention not only to  flight attendants 

[Boethius]

Welcome to the forum, chooter.

[Patagonie]

Hi
Nice story, i have always think that you need to be a little lucky during all the search.

[ML]

We talked a lot and she told me her age was 58, floored me I was thinking more like 40. She is tall and of average build and extremely mature and very pretty.

Interesting . . . she is 58 and extremely mature !!!!!!??????

Were you surprised at her maturity . . . or what??????

Anyway, I wish the very best for you.

[GQBlues]

Interesting . . . she is 58 and extremely mature !!!!!!??????

Were you surprised at her maturity . . . or what??????

Anyway, I wish the very best for you.

LOL. Well, it's been said alot before...FSUWs are very matured for their age.

[ML]

LOL. Well, it's been said alot before...FSUWs are very matured for their age.

But in this case; is it desirable?

[Turboguy]

Nice story.  I enjoyed reading it and wish you the best.  I do think luck plays a big role in finding happiness and it sounds like you had a stroke of the good kind.  You two sound like you are really well suited.

[cc3]

Chooter, welcome to RWD. Great story and I look forward to your future insights contributed to the forum.

[BillyB]

being engaged to two younger ladies that ended as failures.  I'll write about those two failures later and why they were failures.

Maybe some of my experiences can help others not make some of the mistakes I did.

Thanks for the offer. Talking about your bad experiences will certainly be helpful to those new to this endeavor to be more cautious in their search.

[Gator]

    Chooter
 
Congratulations for not overlooking something good.
 
Good luck, and yes please do participate in our discussions. 

[chooter]

Thanks to all of you that have replied to my post.  I would have answered sooner but we were busy all weekend :-)

A few years ago I made a permanent relocation from my home in Atlanta to my home here in the mountains, north of Atlanta, and was fortunate enough to sale my home down there. My fiance owns a condo about 1.5 hours from me and comes up here. She came in the door Friday afternoon dressed like the professor she is and within 5 minutes was down to shorts and as she calls them..sneakers and headed to a neighbor's peach trees. I did get a hug and kiss on her fly by.

When she returned with peaches I asked her why so many peaches and it seems you have snookered all our neighbors. She said when I drove by and saw all the ripe peaches on the trees I thought fresh homemade peach ice cream! so I go and get some for us. I told her you have snookered the neighbors...she said well you can call it what you want but they've all told me to get any fruits I want from their trees so hush you mouth and we make homemade peach ice cream tonight and invite the neighbors. Nothing to do but laugh.

We made some decisions this weekend and the one that had been on my mind the most was..where are we going to live when we get married. She's the one that brought up the subject when we were out for a walk Saturday morning. She told me she wanted to discuss our situation of living 1.5 hours apart and to hear her out please. No way was I going to argue the point with a RW so I listened. Remember that guys, when they want to speak let them speak and keep your mouth shut.

She said all my life I have lived in large cities and taught in large universities, Moscow and now Atlanta, and I'm very tired of this and all the terrible traffic in Atlanta. I meet you on an airplane and now we're engaged to be married and this weekend we will discuss further our wedding plans. She said I want for us to live in this home here in the mountains away from Atlanta. I asked her about her job and she told me I am very tired of teaching full time and would like to do something different, maybe be a sub teacher in the school system here or a small college near us. She said you do most all of your work on computers and very seldom go out on a job site anymore so...what are your thoughts? I told her if that's what you want then that's what you can have and will get. I didn't tell her that I didn't want to live in Atlanta again so she answered a question for me and now we have another important decision for us out of the way.( another RW myth I've read and heard so much about over the years not so much true for all of them...big city RW do not want to live in country areas..this one does)

When she went back to Atlanta this morning, and have to admit, I felt a ping inside as she was pulling out of the drive, sure some of you understand that one when you've had to leave your ladies. Later in the morning one of the neighbors came for a visit and brought me some fresh eggs. She made the comment how much everyone in our small community really liked Maria and hoped we would continue to live here.
I told her about our conversation on Saturday morning and she said good for her!

She laughed a little and asked me have you not noticed what's going on around you? I asked her what she meant and she said chooter take notice in and around your home here. She said chooter she's beginning to make this home comfortable for her and making it a part of her life also. She told us she had never lived in a home other than small apartments and now look "bubba" what's she doing to this place. She's put inside flowers in it, rearranged some of the furniture, beginning to make some really pretty flower beds outside and you've not once asked her what and why she was doing this have you?...Nope was my answer. Then she called me a dumb a** . I laughed and had to agree with her and admitted she was right and I would take much more notice now when she was here. Good boy! she said.

I hope this post hasn't bored you to much and if it has tell me and I'll try not to bore you with anymore of my post like how. I think what I'm trying to do is tell you how our relationship is maturing and working for us and me not noticing some important things that has been going on around me. My next post will another decision we made this weekend about what she wants her wedding to be like.

[lordtiberius]

Beware of the old hands who think they know everything.  Do what makes you happy.  But you gotta go at least once

[Anotherkiwi]

But you gotta go at least once

Have you not bothered reading his first post, LT?
 

I would like to introduce myself as Experienced to Russia since 2003 and a couple of engagements that I personally ended,  I've been to Russia many times...

[LAman]

Chooter...did you ever consider just starting a blog to tell about your 'new' life experiences?
I wish you good luck !!!!

[Aloe]

What a nice story! Do write more    And good luck and much happiness to you!

[Larry1]

Terrific story. I'm looking forward to hearing more.

[calmissile]

Chooter...
It sounds like you found a real 'keeper'.     

I had to chuckle about your comment about her beginning the nesting process in your home.  Often we men overlook the little things that give important messages to us.

It sounds like she has a wonderful personality.   I wish you two the best.

[chooter]

I appreciate and would like to thank everyone for replying to my "blog". I would have answered earlier but my fiance came in last Thursday and just left today going back to Atlanta and we've been busy. She was busy making wedding plans, and other things, I was busy listening and agreeing

She's been here for 8 years and has more or less gotten adjusted to our lifestyle and for the most part accepted it has hers now. I'm not experiencing some of the stoic ways of growing up and living in the old Soviet era such as I saw some of that in the failed relationships I've had with two other women from Russia.

I'm not having to go through an adjustment period, homesickness nor any culture shock with her so things are moving along at a good steady pace for us and our relationship. I think I'm the one experiencing an adjustment period and the culture shock as she slowly and carefully begins to transform both of our lives into a solid and lasting relationship that is leading up to a wedding in the near future.

She has a lot of humor about herself and very easily got accepted into a "country mountain society" that exist where our home is because of her humor, honesty, intelligence and..once I am living here and you need help for anything please do not hesitate to phone me.  I called it snookering, my friends and neighbors call it "fitting in with us".

I was fortunate enough this weekend to meet one of her friends from Belarus living in Atlanta. She invited her up for a cookout and she wanted her to see where she would be calling her home and some of the work she was doing here to make it "feel like her home" also.
Her friend from Belarus is a "looker" for sure at the age of 53 and is a very nice lady. She won the Green Card Lotto and relocated here about 3 years ago and is a professional nanny making big bucks.  Sure she's to old for most of you here but a WOW lady in her on right.

In our conversations we all agreed that it must be the adventure of chasing a RW over there more so than looking in their per say own backyard at the many beautiful and available RW in Atlanta and other cities. No frustrating visa, no expensive travel to and from, easy dating, etc. I for one am glad I don't have to go through the frustrating visa process now, but there again, that's a personal choice and all three of us would certainly wish you much success on your hunt.

I'll try to put some pictures up soon.

[Gator]

In our conversations we all agreed that it must be the adventure of chasing a RW over there more so than looking in their per say own backyard at the many beautiful and available RW in Atlanta and other cities. No frustrating visa, no expensive travel to and from, easy dating, etc.

It does make one wonder.  Four reasons:
 
1.  It is not easy to meet local RW.   Your meeting was serendipity, and you recognized something good.  I have bumped into maybe 4-5 RW in my area.  I recognized them as RW from their accent and opened the conversation.   All save one were married.   The unmarried one was not interested.
 
2.  Goals and values are not aligned with my goals and values.  Your lady has been here 8 years and is at an age where she knows what she wants.  When the news of my divorce from my Moscow wife went public, I received two phone calls from divorced RW whom I had met when attending RW social gatherings with my Moscow wife.    Both wanted to start something.  The goal of the younger one was clear - be a live-in girlfriend for 2-3 years while she completes her advanced degree.  I was not interested in such an exchange as I want more than sex and conversation.
3.  There is the illusion that an ideal match can be found by reviewing hundreds of profiles, communicate with several and meet a few.   However, even with much planning and exploration, it is still a box of chocolates.  Even knowing this, going there appeals to my sense of adventure.
 
4.  I enjoy travel, I enjoyed my times wandering around the FSU, and I somehow get along well with RW.  Even if a meeting does not progress to a relationship, it usually is a splendid time.
 
The Belarus woman sounds delightful.  I imagine some available bachelors here would want to know more.... 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Lily]

Her friend from Belarus is a "looker" for sure at the age of 53 and is a very nice lady. She won the Green Card Lotto and relocated here about 3 years ago and is a professional nanny making big bucks.  Sure she's to old for most of you here but a WOW lady in her on right.

 
I'll try to put some pictures up soon.

If she is a WOW lady, how can she be old??? Is she looking for a man?
 
Looking forward to see some pictures!

[Hammer2722]

Chooter, welcome to RWD. I, like you have spent years looking in the FSU and after several failed relationships, I too happened by accident to find my FSU lady right in my own back yard!!!! I wish you the best and congrats!!!

[GQBlues]

...She's been here for 8 years and has more or less gotten adjusted to our lifestyle and for the most part accepted it has hers now. I'm not experiencing some of the stoic ways of growing up and living in the old Soviet era such as I saw some of that in the failed relationships I've had with two other women from Russia.

I'm not having to go through an adjustment period, homesickness nor any culture shock with her so things are moving along at a good steady pace for us and our relationship. I think I'm the one experiencing an adjustment period and the culture shock as she slowly and carefully begins to transform both of our lives into a solid and lasting relationship that is leading up to a wedding in the near future....

This had been my point all along. I've often preached that if slavic women is the persuasion men sought, there are a multitude of women already acclimated to our society that are already here. So good for you...

[chooter]

If she is a WOW lady, how can she be old??? Is she looking for a man?
 
Looking forward to see some pictures!

What does age have to do with being a WOW lady  she can sure turn heads and has one of my friends acting like a babbling fool :-)

Chooter, welcome to RWD. I, like you have spent years looking in the FSU and after several failed relationships, I too happened by accident to find my FSU lady right in my own back yard!!!! I wish you the best and congrats!!!

It's an awesome feeling for sure hammer especially knowing we don't have to go through the visa process and all the adjustments.

This had been my point all along. I've often preached that if slavic women is the persuasion men sought, there are a multitude of women already acclimated to our society that are already here. So good for you...

My fiance and the friends of hers I've met would agree with you on this. They've all said there are MANY RW in Atlanta that wold love to meet a "decent man" .

It does make one wonder.  Four reasons:
 
1.  It is not easy to meet local RW.   Your meeting was serendipity, and you recognized something good.  I have bumped into maybe 4-5 RW in my area.  I recognized them as RW from their accent and opened the conversation.   All save one were married.   The unmarried one was not interested.
 
2.  Goals and values are not aligned with my goals and values.  Your lady has been here 8 years and is at an age where she knows what she wants.  When the news of my divorce from my Moscow wife went public, I received two phone calls from divorced RW whom I had met when attending RW social gatherings with my Moscow wife.    Both wanted to start something.  The goal of the younger one was clear - be a live-in girlfriend for 2-3 years while she completes her advanced degree.  I was not interested in such an exchange as I want more than sex and conversation.
3.  There is the illusion that an ideal match can be found by reviewing hundreds of profiles, communicate with several and meet a few.   However, even with much planning and exploration, it is still a box of chocolates.  Even knowing this, going there appeals to my sense of adventure.
 
4.  I enjoy travel, I enjoyed my times wandering around the FSU, and I somehow get along well with RW.  Even if a meeting does not progress to a relationship, it usually is a splendid time.
 
The Belarus woman sounds delightful.  I imagine some available bachelors here would want to know more.... 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Agree gator and an excellent post. My fiance read your post and made the comment about not being easy to meet a local RW in Atlanta and this is only her thoughts so enjoy some of her humor. Fly to Moscow and stand in SVO until you see several RW and find the ones returning back to the US then haul a** and buy you a ticket on the same plane. She said later on she would offer some suggestions as to where and how to meet RW in Atlanta.

Chooter...
It sounds like you found a real 'keeper'.     

I had to chuckle about your comment about her beginning the nesting process in your home.  Often we men overlook the little things that give important messages to us.

It sounds like she has a wonderful personality.   I wish you two the best.

Some people have NO clue as to how important your post can mean to a successful relationship and she is definitely a "keeper".

This Thursday was the beginning of her moving day to her new home with me here in the mountains. She had turned in her resignation of her professorship earlier this week and started packing her things. She called and asked me to please bring my truck down and she would be up on Friday. 

I know where our wedding will be but not the exact date yet so maybe she'll enlighten me on that this next week. All my daughters and grand kids will be coming in this weekend for the holiday so my thoughts are they'll be helping her pull this all together while they're here. She's met all of them and they've gotten off to a great start with each other.
I'm sure she's going to want her family here and my friends from Russia as well. This may be a challenge and if any of you have been though this please enlighten me on what to expect.

[Gator]

I'm sure she's going to want her family here and my friends from Russia as well. This may be a challenge and if any of you have been though this please enlighten me on what to expect.

It is not a challenge IMO.   It is a good time.  Enjoy!  It says something positive about your future wife.

Our house has  already experienced many visits by Russian citizens.  In fact, in the past year we have had 7 person-months of visits by Russians (including MIL).  There are more visits planned (my wife was very popular in Russia).  My ex-wife (also a RW) had zero visits in her year with me. 

Positives
 
The positives of the visits are many.  At the top of the list is the air of happiness that fills the house.  Russians are reticent and distant around strangers yet are very close with friends and family, closer than most Americans with friends and family.  It is amazing to observe. 
 
Other positives are lots of Russian cooking, helping hands (one man took care of all of my electrical repairs, something I avoid, my dog was groomed every day), hilarious moments of culture clash,  gifts (such as new vodka brands), etc.   
 
On a profound level, each visit allows me to know more about her family and friends and thus learn more about my wife.


Negatives
 
The negatives are few:  1) you will be secondary and 2) you will not hear much English.   You seem like a big boy who can entertain himself as you did before you met her.  In fact, that could be a positive as I played more golf and attended to some tasks that had previously been ignored because I was busy with my wife.   If this is one of your potential concerns, her libido will not decline. 
 
The worst moments were 1) car trips as the spoken Russian overwhelms me if more than an hour with no escape and 2) carrying their overpacked luggage upon arrival and departure (how can one pack 35kg in a medium bag  ).


Summary
 
So enjoy!  When describing such visits in earlier posts, a couple of men expressed concern as you have just done.  I just don't understand that attitude.  Her friends and family are part of who she is.  Besides, it will happen anyway so go with the flow and do not try swimming upstream.