OK guys now with my other post out of the way, here is MY STORY..
Some of you may know me from other boards, so if I bore you with my story, I am sorry....
First here is the (somewhat) quick background, just so you have some idea of my experience level. I got into this whole RW thing as a crazy vacation. I was tired of going on boring vacations by myself, so I was looking at going on a singles tour. I almost went on one of those barefoot windjammer tours. But for what ever reason I chose to go to Eastern Europe. Maybe it was the fact that my family is from there, and I wanted to dig into my roots. Or maybe it was the fact that I didn't know many people who had been there. So anyway, after a bit of thought, and a little bit of research on eastern Europe, and finding sites like this one, I decided to go on a tour. Yes for me, it was the best thing, because I simply wanted to go on vacation with some other singles. So why not go with a bunch of other single guys and have some fun. I was NOT looking for a sex tour, and to be honest didn't know enough about this marrying someone from another country to even have any thoughts about that. But why not go on a vacation where I could at least be with other single guys like me, and also date some really nice women.....
So anyway, I chose to go on a tour with AFA. I could afford the cost, and why not just have someone else take care of the VISA's, air, hotel, and everything else. From an Accountant's perspective (which I happen to be), I did the analysis of cost, and it came out as a good deal to me. This decision was made before what I know now. So I went on the tour, and had the time of my life. Best vacation I ever went on, and to this day I would highly recommend AFA for any first timer going over. I cannot compare AFA to other companies as they are the only one I have used. BTW, I went to ST. Pete., Nov. 2000.
Sorry if this is getting long, but I am just sitting here and typing what I remember....
So anyway, I went on the tour, and of course met A LOT of different girls, and was overwhelmed by russia, and everything it has to experience. One thing that probably made the tour good was I met someone on the second "social". We ended up spending a lot of time together, and she was like having my own personal tour guide. I am also a very open minded person, so the different food, culture, and everything else there is I welcomed with open arms. I am also a realistic person, and knew enough to stay away from the "scammers". After seeing St. Pete. and other suburbs of it (my RW was from one), I knew I would be back...
So anyway, after spending the two weeks there, I knew there was more to this then I expected. It now was more then just a simple vacation for a single guy. So after I got back to the states, I spent more time doing the research on boards like this, and legal sites, and government sites. Of course the extensive E-mail started with my RW. We decided we had fun together, and would like to continue. So we planned a trip in Jan 2001. I did my research and heard the stories about meeting in a neutral country. So we decided on Italy. We spent a week there, and continued the relationship. I would highly agree that it is a very good idea to spend time in that neutral country.
I haven't gone into to many details, but if you want more, you can check other boards for the VERY detailed story...
So after more E-mail, and the typical things that go on, I went back to visit her in her home town in April, 2001. Now this trip was different in a lot of ways. One was I did all the travel details myself, except for the apartment my RW rented for us. She got us a place for $200 for the 10 tens I was to be there. The worst part for her, was she had to pay the rental agency $100 of the $200. But I expalined to her that a hotel in St. Pete would have been $100 a night, and she saved me $800. So now she was happy. 
Now I knew this could actually be a "cheap" vacation if you plan, and have the right connections. Also, this is one of the many examples I could give about what a "real" traditional girl is like. I cannot tell you the times she literally dragged me away from a flower shop because she thought flowers were a waste of money. A girl like this, could save me a fortune, and this is an Accountant saying this!
Anyway, things went well, and I saw russia from a different perspective by living in this modest (but very cozy) apartment. We did some tourist things, but mostly just spent time together learning more about each other. On a side note one of the "tourist" things we did, was see Eric Clapton in concert in St. Pete. Yea guys, there are modern entertainers there, along with the incredible cultural things.
Things went well and I did another trip in July. This trip included a midnight train ride to Moscow. Why Moscow? Well for the fiancee visa interview of course. After all the E-mails, and plans, and extensive legal research, and travels, here I was in Moscow with my girl getting (and I might add pretty easily after all the research I did) her visa to come to America. Living down in texas, and dealing with the typical HOT weather I did not want to bring her here in July, so we planned on her comming over in late August. It worked out best for us for too many reasons too list here....
Now maybe the TRUE reason for the post....
After being here for a little over 2 months, we decided that FOR OUR REASONS, it would be best if we did not marry, and for her to go back to russia before her visa expired at 90 days. I know, after all this, it comes down to her going back to russia. I could never explain what it was like on that trip to the airport and me driving home alone, and waiting so I could call her to be sure she got back safe! Talk about doing some serious worrying, and of course soul searching. When I heard that soft voice on the phone though, I was very releaved she was safe (very tired, but safe).
Well it has been a week now, and yes my house is different. And yes, it was some of the best things I have ever experienced. And yes, this is very hard for me to type, but maybe it is like therapy, and maybe my "different" story will add something to the board....
That is the somewhat quick story from me. Way too many details were left out of course, but there is only so much time to type, and I still DO have a life to try to lead now.. So why do I type all this here. Man, I have no idea. Also, know this, both me and my RW are good people. We are both realistic, and have both had an interesting year. There are no scams to report here, and no real earth shaking revelations. Just two people having an interesting relationship. There were no big cultural shocks (a few small ones), no hatedread, or other negative things. Just two people deciding they are not ready yet to marry each other. BTW I am 36 and she is 26, so add that to whatever thoughts you may have.
If anyone has some serious questions to ask please do. I will try to post as a I can. After living with an RW for 90 days, those who have been through it, know I have more time on my hands now.
Where do I go from here? Well, I have no crystal ball (remember I am a realist), so I have no idea what the future will bring for me, or us for that matter!
OK, let the flames begin, as I am sure there will be a few. But please know this: I have had an interesting experience this past year, and have done it my way, the only way I truely know. Put me down for whatever reason you want, but hey, thet is YOUR reason, and not mine...
I wish all of you reading this the best in whatever it is you do.
With much sincerity and humility,
Dennis
