Hello fellow forum members, this is my first time to post. I have been a “lurker” to this forum for about 2 years. I have read and learned much by reading the posts of other contributors to this forum and to the LWL list as well. I wish to thank all of you for the discussions and valuable information that has been made available.
There has been much discussion on the boards of the merits of writing (buying addresses) versus taking the trip to S.A. to meet in person. I started with the buy addresses and write process, I found many were old or bad addresses or the lady was already involved with another person. I did meet one nice lady from Venezuela, but after several months of exchanging letters and emails we meet in person and there was just no desire there to continue the relationship further. After this, I had talked with Sylvia at LWL several times by telephone prior to her illness and discussed that my work would not allow me the opportunity to travel for extended trips to S.A. Sylvia suggested that I should place an ad on the “LatinMail” website. I was skeptical that this would ever produce any results, but I decided it was free and there was nothing to lose.
I placed my ad there in June of last year, and over the next 2 months I received approximately 50 responses to the ad. It was very overwhelming to answer each mail; even if only to answer I was not interested. By August, I had narrowed my list down to 3 ladies with which I continued to correspond. The ladies were from Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. I was corresponding with these ladies daily by email only at this point.
After a couple more months, I continued only with my lady friend from Ecuador, as I had determined she was the best match to myself. In November of last year we began to chat each night for a full hour or more on the Internet and also by telephone one night each week. We began to be very serious in our feelings but cautious that we must meet face to face to confirm and know each other better. On February 9th Maritza traveled on her tourist visa to the U.S. to visit family in Miami, and during that time spent 3 wonderful weeks visiting with me.
Maritza’s visit convinced me that my previous feelings for her were correct and she was the person that I had been searching for and I asked her to marry me before she left to return to Miami then back home to Ecuador. Maritza accepted my proposal and we began the paperwork to obtain the K-1 visa so that she can return to marry me. For those interested I am 52 and Maritza 47.
On April 4th the Texas Regional Service Center acknowledged receipt of our petition. We received approval on July 5th, which was 92 calendar days. They also approved our request to process the visa in her home city of Guayaquil rather than Quito, the capital.
For me the letter/email writing worked to my advantage, others may think differently and I say use what works best for you and best of luck in everyone’s search for a wonderful partner. I wish that it were possible to say thanks to Sylvia Oliver, as I will be forever in her debt. Thanks also to Rob & Nelly, Larry Glickman, Patty & Mark Jones, Pete, Ela Molina, Houndog, JustFanTX, and everyone for sharing your information and opinions.
Thanks again, Raymond
