Calling All Old Posters-- ie Those missing on Forum for some time

[Ade]

KenC,


Nice to see you back, happily married and looking healthy!


This is an interesting observation - why do you think your kids accepted your CW and did not embrace your RW even though had a long marriage together?

Here's a guess; they saw something that Ken couldn't/wouldn't.

[KenC]

Here's a guess; they saw something that Ken couldn't/wouldn't.

And you would be wrong.

[KenC]

KenC,


Nice to see you back, happily married and looking healthy!


This is an interesting observation - why do you think your kids accepted your CW and did not embrace your RW even though had a long marriage together?

Thank you.  Probably age, maturity and her kind behavior to me and all others.

[KenC]

Ken,
I believe you were around when the Moscow woman and I quickly and amicably divorced, and I started dating again the  ex-model, ex-athlete Cossack who made my heart sing years earlier but was not ready to marry me.

She came here several times and our love grew especially strong.  I asked her to marry me (unlike the previous one who asked me to marry her - that was a clue).  She said "yes."  We married here and did a spousal visa.

  I always suspected that the Cossack was your true love.

-  "I love our no stress lifestyle too."  I doubt if we will ever reach this nirvana.  Maybe it is her Cossack blood and my ways, but we have spirited disagreements when the following does not happen:

To be honest, that was the thing that wore me down mentally.  It is a total relief to not have to engage in constant debates.

-  "She is still a strong forceful woman, but in a very quiet way, if that makes any sense."  Yes, it makes sense.  The good ones have patience, faith in you, and flexibility.  Also, they know how to remind you without triggering negative feelings, and they express their gratitude.  That works both ways, of course. 

There is no doubt that I too have mellowed

The most important point - I truly can say that I have never been loved so deeply in my life.  For sure I have never known a better woman. 

I am sincerely happy for you.

[Gator]

There is no doubt that I too have mellowed

And you would be wrong.

Absolutely you have mellowed.  The old KenC would said more.

Contentment, peace of mind, and grace are never truly understood until you attain and experience them.  Looking back at what I believed as peace of mind was frequently nothing more than idling at a stop light.    My problem is that I still occasionally pull out into the fast lane. 

Ken, no wonder you look healthier. 

[I/O]

I always suspected that the Cossack was your true love.

IIRC, one of the ol' warriors might have told him to "Marry the Cossack".....
 
Ken, really good to see you back on top, really good. As an aside, I note your comments about maturity and interestingly, although not universal, I've noticed the +40 FSU and Asian women who have married in here have cruised relatively easily and to be frank, I would've originally theorised it would be the opposite.

[TheTraveler]

beautiful family, gator!

thanks for sharing the photo!

[Gator]

IIRC, one of the ol' warriors might have told him to "Marry the Cossack".....

Several said such, including the sage JB.  You guys forget the part when I decided she was the one, asked her to marry me,  and she said "Nyet."       
 

I've noticed the +40 FSU and Asian women who have married in here have cruised relatively easily and to be frank, I would've originally theorised it would be the opposite.

My wife is 48.  We first met when she was 40.  Adjustment was not so easy, partly because her less than fluent English inhibited her assimilation and also because she really loved her life in Russia.  She is now 100% committed. 

[SANDRO43]

In the interest of historical accuracy, when we met in June 2009 after the Cossack had just left after a holiday in Italy together, you were pissed off and complaining that she was more interested in buying expensive shoes in Corso Buenos Aires than in you .

Selective memory ?

[fathertime]

Thanks for sharing those photos Gator and Sandro.  This is turning into a great photo filled topic!


Fathertime! 

[SANDRO43]

Thanks for sharing those photos Gator and Sandro.  This is turning into a great photo filled topic!

OK, here's another photo 3 years later, on Gator's home ground, with us and another RWD Mod whose name I shall not disclose .

[KenC]

Several said such, including the sage JB.  You guys forget the part when I decided she was the one, asked her to marry me,  and she said "Nyet."     

I didn't forget Gator.  I said the Cossak was YOUR true love.  It just took longer for her to realize that you were HER true love.  The heart moves at it's own pace.

[Gator]

In the interest of historical accuracy, when we met in June 2009 after the Cossack had just left after a holiday in Italy together, you were pissed off and complaining that she was more interested in buying expensive shoes in Corso Buenos Aires than in you .

Selective memory ?

Selective memory?  let's first talk about capacity to remember.  It was June 2007, not June 2009.  So what else could be amiss?

Seriously, I do recall the shoes.  She wanted  Italian shoes, both for her as well as for me (she despised my shoes, rightly so).   I had the choice of:

1.  Another 10 hours with her, starting with late shopping for shoes and concluding with a shortened farewell evening, or

2.  Dinner with the one and only, Sandro.

No choice obviously.


Pissed off?    Instead, I suggest "demonstratively disappointed."

She and I have talked a little bit about what went wrong between us in Italy.  It boils down to misunderstanding, mostly because she and I still did know each other well even after spending 100 days together.   Marriage is a huge step, and she was not ready given her sole responsibility for two children.  If you ask her, she will probably say it was my fault.  Neither of us dwell on it because past is past, and the clock can not be turned backwards.

Who knows?!  She and I may not have made a  marriage work then, as our love was not as strong as three years later. 

I have been blessed in life in so many ways, and perhaps this was another one. 

[Gator]

I didn't forget Gator.  I said the Cossak was YOUR true love.  It just took longer for her to realize that you were HER true love.  The heart moves at it's own pace.

I like that. 

[SANDRO43]

Selective memory?  let's first talk about capacity to remember.  It was June 2007, not June 2009.

You're right, I used the date I stored the photo in the Gallery, rather than that when it was taken - and it was May .

My point point was that, considering what you related at the time, you appeared justified  in dropping her then. But then, life goes on and things change, what?

[Vaughn]

KenC, it's great to see you here once again. Thanks for the updates. Elvira and I cannot tell you how happy we are for both of you.

Back in the day, Gator so eloquently described "the Cossack" that I found myself beginning to fall for her, sight unseen.

HiTech, congrats on the births of both daughters. Nice cakes for sure. Do you ship ?

[mendeleyev]

Thanks for the photos from each of you. You all look great and it is nice to read the updates in your lives.

[Ade]

And you would be wrong.

Ah well, whatever you want to believe or admit to is fine by me Ken. 


As an aside, a friend and colleague of mine (also overweight, a little antisocial, workholic type) in his late 30's has a relationship with a Chinese woman of 29 or so from Donguang - I guess they will marry this year. Her name is also Ping. He met her there while doing some work for one of our customers so not a MOB lady. They've traveled all over there and the pictures are quite astounding - amazing looking country and I'm envious a little he's had the opportunity to get around there so much.

[SANDRO43]

Two Pings and no Pong ?

[vwrw]

Thank you and you are probably correct.  BTW please forgive me for everything negative I posted regarding your relationship.  I was obviously waaay wrong for doubting the two of you.  It would be terribly unfair for me to assume that all RW behaved like my former wife.  I don't know where to draw the line between culture, age difference and maturity levels.  That being said, I would say that there is no love of the Motherland with Chinese.  Maybe that is why Chinese seem to accept American ways more so than Russians.  Both cultures seem to have very strong women but in different ways.  RW tend to be a bit over powering at times where as CW are more quietly strong.  Both seem to get the same results but the CW don't beat you over the head with it. LOL  Again, is it culture, age or maturity?
Ken

 Ken, there is no need to ask for forgiveness. I have never developed any grudge against you. In fact, I do not remember what was that negative you mean. Just one phrase of yours has been haunting me all these years and I am grateful to you for it. Once when I was going to leave this board, and you told me  that I was not going to achieve anything in life without perseverance and I was showing none of it. Now each time I feel like I am fed up with something and want to quit, your words come up in front of my eyes and start the thought process that develops my determination to persevere.  Thanks for reaching to me with the important message.

[vwrw]

IIRC, one of the ol' warriors might have told him to "Marry the Cossack".....
 

My first reaction was to leave them both and find a new one who would leave no room for the hesitation. But it turned out to be not an option in Gator's eyes....for the best 

[KenC]

Ah well, whatever you want to believe or admit to is fine by me Ken. 

Thank you for your "insights", Carnac

[KenC]

VWRW,
It is nice to know that at least one of my almost 6,000 posts had a positive effect on someone. LOL

[Misha]

As an aside, a friend and colleague of mine (also overweight, a little antisocial, workholic type)

For clarification, are you trying to suggest that Ken is overweight, antisocial and a workaholic type or is this a description of your own physiotype and personality?  I assume you meant the former, but grammatically the latter is also feasible. It goes without saying that I do not want to erroneously assume anything 

[Vaughn]

 It goes without saying that I do not want to erroneously assume anything

Misha, you can safely assume Ade's purpose here is to incite and provoke. Other than that he contributes little here.