Rick and Larisa met through Anastasiaweb and were married in June, 1999. Rick initially emailed to 30 women, received 20 good responses and in the long run chose only to meet with one of them in person - Larisa. Similarly, out of the 50 or so men who wrote to Larisa, she only began corresponding with four of them and only met one in person - Rick.
Recently the couple took the time to share their experiences with other Anastasiaweb members:
What led both of you to try using Anastasiaweb?
Rick: "I discovered several such services on the Internet, examined them and Anastasiaweb seemed like the best service to me."
Larisa: "My friends advised me to try it, and I had a wish to find a good friend, maybe a husband. I still can't believe that my dream came true."
What initially attracted you to each other?
Rick: "I would say that it was her age, her intelligence, which I could sense even from her short biography, and her appearance."
 Larisa: "The fact that he had received only about 20 emails from me and then decided to go to an unknown country, with no knowledge of the language and customs, only wishing to meet me. His kindness, sympathy, and understanding not only attracted me to him - I was amazed by it!"
Can you each tell us a little bit about your courtship process?
Rick: "The initial emails were the most important. They confirmed my feelings about her. But of course the first meeting was important, too. By seeing where she lived, how she worked and by meeting her friends and family, any doubts I had changed to love. Her house in Ufa precluded any "fancy" dates, but this was just as well. By going shopping together in the local markets and living an ordinary day-to-day life, I got to know her a lot better than if we had gone to fancy restaurants, plays, or night clubs."
Larisa: "When Rick came to me my family and friends fell in love with him. We talked a lot and went for sight-seeing trips around the city. When he left we found out that his flight was cancelled, and the entire schedule of his tour to Russia had been changed. I dropped everything and went with him to Moscow as I was afraid that there would be nobody there to meet him and help him. This unexpected adventure drew us together even more. We realized that we needed each other.
Exactly and where did the marriage proposal take place?
Rick: "I proposed on the 4th day of my visit to her home town. The situation precluded a 'romantic' proposal, but luckily, she understood."
Larisa: "It was hard for us to part after I accepted his proposal. But several months of waiting while we were writing to each other and talking on the phone made the time fly. In June we were married. I'm very happy. I have a wonderful husband."
What advice would you give other Anastasiaweb members?
Rick: "A good picture is a must. You do not have to be beautiful, but dress nicely and smile. Dirty, wrinkled clothes, an unshaven face, unkempt hair, etc. shows that you don't love yourself, so why would any woman love you? Also, be honest. Don't waste your time or hers. Untruths will be discovered, eventually. And be very selective about who you write to. Know what you want and look for those characteristics. After writing, do not hesitate to take action. If you wait a year to meet her, she will know you don't really care and somebody else will find her."
Larisa: "It is very important to have a good picture on the profile and to write interesting letters. It's important not only to attract a partner, but to show interest in him. Be well-wishing, original, attractive, and remember not to appear indifferent. I wish to everyone who tries this unusual and sometimes difficult way to find a partner patience, happiness and . . . big love!"
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