I haven't been on this site for ages, but I am eternally grateful for all of the support and help I received from so many members particularly in Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec of the past year.

As many of you know, I fell madly in love with a Turkish sailor. And, as many of you know this is not uncommon in Turkey-(many - as much as 75% of Turkish men seek love/partnership with the hope of attaining a visa).

Well, long story short- after visiting Omer for two weeks at Christmas, and after spending the last 62 most glorius days with him- we are marrying in November. We have been through Visa hell- but indeed it was finally approved!- he arrives on October 30 and we will get married in December.

I must say I left this site because I was so disallusioned by the rhetoric about cross cultural connections, more specifically- generalizations about Turkish men and foreign women.

I do understand that there are serious problems with many men seeking a visa to a European country or America.... but this is not always the case. Please do not be so harsh on new people in love. Sometimes- real love just blossoms. I thank everyone who helped me in the early stages of our relationship- particularly with transations! Support from Cyrano, Aenigma, Asla and countless others provided us with the opportunity to connect in a profound way.

Omer is now pretty darn fluent in English, but I have a far way to go to be fluent in Turkish. I look forward to practicing and chatting.

Most sincerely,
Christine

Congratulations!
You have my full support! All I can say is go for it! Take a chance in life is my motto! I may not have known you but I know people that have been in your situation and people that doubted that their relationship would work and they are still happily together after years and have shown eeryone wrong So good luck with your future husband and I hope you are eternally happy together

Congratulations to both of you!

Christine! I am so happy for you There ARE a few exceptions which prove the rule, and I am glad you are one of them! You have always handled criticism and cynicism with such dignity and determination (I wish I could! ) that nobody could doubt that you would make it work between you.

Congratulations

Hi!! TEBRIKLER. Even though we dont know each other, im so happy for both of you for beating the odds and for making it to have this saying, "and they live happily ever after and forever".

congratulations Christine, I hope that you have a happy life together

Christine,
I am so glad you have shared your story. I too left this site for a while because I could not bare the critical comments about Turkish men and their foreign brides. It is so hard to trust in what you have with your partner when everyone is telling you so many negative things. We had a bit of a Visa struggle too, so I understand how you feel. Why would people deliberately put themselves thru this? It was hell for us, as I am sure it was for you. There were so many opportunities for both my husband and I to walk away. There were a million reasons for us NOT to be together. Sometimes it seemed like it was us against the whole world. In all that negativety, I found a partner in life...one that will stand by me thru thick and thin, a man worthy of my love. I am so happy for you. You have a relationship that has been forged from trust and true devotion. I hope you have a long and happy life.

ahhhh the most touching post i have read on this site. Congratulations to elisabeth, chiristine and their lucky husbands. I admire peope like you..people who dont care what people think and dont give up and pursue their happiness.

Congratulations Christine!! I am happy you are home safely and Omer will be here shortly!!

We have both been going through the same things, and I was glad to have found you on this site and lucky that you don't live that far away from me. It was nice to have someone that understood to talk to.

As you know, I will still be separated from my love for awhile longer (It has already been over 2 years of separations with short visits in between). I have faith that everything will work out!!

Once again I am happy for you and hope to "catch up" when your schedule permits.

Talk to you soon,

Lovebug (Wendy)

Thank you all for the kind words and good wishes! We both feel quite fortunate to have overcome so much to be together. I want to reply to some comments- "strong" "not caring what people think". Well, I am not that strong- but our love and his love of me is incomprehensible- I have blossomed in ways I never imagined. I found an inner strength I never knew I had- as did he. I've never much cared for what people think of me, so that was not a huge hurdle. All that matters is that we will be together in a few short weeks...

Again,
Your support means so much! I hope other cross cultural couples who find real love are inspired!

Sincerely,
Christine

It is nice to hear a American-Turkish love story ending well. I am in the middle of a fiance visa myself. I have visited him twice, in addition to the first time I met him and we fell in love. I know what you mean by finding inner-strength. We are 4 months into the fiance visa, and one year into a relationship. The language barrier is the most difficult thing. Congratulations!

Congratulation Christine, i so happy for u.Reading ur post its remind me about my story too I know my husband thru internet(from a chat room) 6 years ago while i still in my university and my husband was in his military service.go thru all the hard and sweet days,facing those culture problems,family problems,visa..etc.Now and today we been married 3 years and he is living in my country.What i try to say is no matter what happen just believe urself and be strong,dont give up easily.Times and the loves he/she give u will proove thats everything is worths it.

It certainly is nice to hear positive relationship stories! I have been dying not seeing Omer for the past four days...We talked this morning, and now he is coming in Septenber. The hardest part of our journey is ahead- he is giving up everything he knows for the uncertain.

I want to recommend for any American seeking information about visas:

visajourney.com This site provided me with invaluable visa information.

Love is a beautiful thing!

Congratulations!

Please be aware of the culture shock that he will experience... With love and understanding on your part I am certain that you can help him through it.

Best wishes!!!!!