questions about love and commitment relative to K1 process

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1. Many will marry because it seems to them to be a good family arrangment. Russians and Ukrainians are not so much about "fairy tale" love as they are about practical family considerations. I developed the opinion that they are very much "biological" and choose a mate, first, becuse he can be a good family provider and they can live with this all their life.

2. Not personally, but my wife tells me of many. We know many couples in Ukraine that have been together a long time but are not madly in love. They are loyal, caring, etc., just not that gooey lovey stuff, such things were discouraged during the Soviet Union anyway, so it isn't natural, though young people seem to be more open about "love"

3. Yes, I did. Alla is not "vocal" with words about her feelings, but there is no question in my mind she loves me, no question at all, and she even says it once or twice a week. Wooo hooo!

My wife falls in this category, "Of course I love my husband but he so stupid and primitive man."

5. Not really. I formally proposed months before we filed the petition. we got everything in order before filing so there were no surprises later. We never did buy an engagement ring. We told our families. We planned a civil ceremony on our front lawn, not much to that. And I never felt she was a "quasi-fiancee", she was my fiancee.

My wife was my "quasi-fiancee" for about four years. We were sure we were going to get married but we didn't celebrate it. In fact, we went on about our daily lives without really acting like we were engaged. Our families knew we were going to get married but it was one of those "some day" type things and in the mean time, they were introduced to our other boyfriends/girlfriends until we were together again. We didn't have a typical one-year K-1 journey though, we had several years inbetween and transitioned from dating to "quasi-engaged" to "omg she's here."