Does it feel like you had to "buy" your Spouse ?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

She only cost me a carton of American cigarettes, and dinner for the family at a nice Chinese restaurant.

[Tim/Mav 305]

Where is the poll?

Sheet. I Don't know. I clicked the wrong Link maybe. So what do you think Crusty ?

[dindo and patty 20]

I think when you meet someone whom you have a great connection and chemistry with is a powerful aprhodisiac. Couple that with the

absolute possibility of spending the rest of your life with someone special. Now, that is a risk worth taking! That is probably why most of us don't even think twice about the expense involved (may be we do, but we choose to do it anyway... ) not to mention the long wait.

Sometimes I joke around with Patty telling her "ang mahal mo" (meaning she was expensive), but I do know now that we've been together since early September is that it was absolutely all worth it and more!

I still think she was too damn expensive...just sayin...I'm kidding of course...LOL

Edited December 6, 2011 by dindo and patty

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

How much do you think dating a local woman for 4 years would cost?

I don't think I bought Anna, maybe she's more like an investment that will continue to provide returns for many years!

Seriously though, money isn't even a thought for me. The situation is what it is and I'm happy to have Anna in my life.

Think of if like this: Some couples have problems that can't be resolved with a bit cash (medical etc) so we're lucky that the distance issue can be made to go away.

[Tim/Mav 305]

It's ok. People already thought I was nuts!

My parents keep asking: Is the wedding still on? My response:

When my Dad learned over a year ago. He said it was most ridiculous thing he ever heard of. Today. He loves seeing Mavs Pics and don't feel that way. People can change, the ones that refuse too. Get rid of them...

[Tim/Mav 305]

How much do you think dating a local woman for 4 years would cost?

I don't think I bought Anna, maybe she's more like an investment that will continue to provide returns for many years!

Seriously though, money isn't even a thought for me. The situation is what it is and I'm happy to have Anna in my life.

Think of if like this: Some couples have problems that can't be resolved with a bit cash (medical etc) so we're lucky that the distance issue can be made to go away.

WOW! Never thought of that. Seeing a Local Woman for 4 years. I don't even need to explain that!

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

I don't care for the "I had to buy my spouse" mentality but it was expensive.. The visa process itself was not that bad, the actual fees were around 1000 with another 300 for document gathering/mailing. We went from initial meeting to being together in the U.S. in about 18 months. In that time there were six trips averaging around 4000 each time, a wedding (not really that expensive compared to weddings in the US but still a cost), a ring (not overly extravagant compared to some but another 2500). Some of my family also made trips and came to the wedding - not my cost but it cost them.. There were also more misc costs than I care to think about that ran quite a bit.

The actual visa costs were not really a factor - doing something such as this is expensive but then I knew that when I decided to move forward. I could have made adjustments to save more money... In fact we decided against the K-1 and moved the wedding up one trip in hopes of getting the entire process done before the end of 2011. Money was not the main factor but I'd be lying if I said it was not a motivator for me.

Beyond the money is the stigma.. When I am asked "how did you meet?" I do feel compelled to drive the point home that we did not meet online and that I was not looking for someone from another country (nor was she)... There is a stigma attached if you go out of your way to meet someone from another country and people always find a round-about way to broach the subject.

[Deputy Purple 1,294]

Beyond the money is the stigma.. When I am asked "how did you meet?"

Let me tell you about "Stigma"...

Just after Anna arrived my oldest daughter (17 at the time) had a project in Spanish class to talk about what makes her family special so she talked about Anna and Gabby, how they can from the Philippines & that Gabby is deaf. For the Q&A portion of course the first question was "How did your Dad meet her?" to which CJ answered "On the Internet." So the teacher pipes in, :It's perfectly normal for people to meet on the internet nowadays, what site did he meet her on?". My poor daughter had to reply in front of her whole class that it was Craigslist! Of course she quickly explained that I was looking for locals divers for my diving vacation and Anna & I happened to trip over each other on the site.

Honestly what do I care what anyone thinks of how we met, the important thing is that we are together and 3 years later we still don't regret it.

[Tim/Mav 305]

Let me tell you about "Stigma"...

Just after Anna arrived my oldest daughter (17 at the time) had a project in Spanish class to talk about what makes her family special so she talked about Anna and Gabby, how they can from the Philippines & that Gabby is deaf. For the Q&A portion of course the first question was "How did your Dad meet her?" to which CJ answered "On the Internet." So the teacher pipes in, :It's perfectly normal for people to meet on the internet nowadays, what site did he meet her on?". My poor daughter had to reply in front of her whole class that it was Craigslist! Of course she quickly explained that I was looking for locals divers for my diving vacation and Anna & I happened to trip over each other on the site.

Honestly what do I care what anyone thinks of how we met, the important thing is that we are together and 3 years later we still don't regret it.

Remember Bob, the post was not related to: The Love within the Family or even just a Finace/Financee. It was directed at how the System of Immigration works on your weakness and wallet because you Love that person/persons so much and is your life.

I don't think I seen one Member disagree that they know it really was like buying a family/and or/spouse. And would'nt sacrafice a thing to change that. Thats Love and the Goverment gets profit from OUR Overseas emotions. I really don't think USCIS Profits, I think the Attorneys do. Its a form of corrupt Goverment.

So Bob. 3 years ago. So your daughter would be 20 .. Maybe 21. You are a Proud Father and Husband. Thats the way it should be.

[J and S 38]

Beyond the money is the stigma.. When I am asked "how did you meet?" I do feel compelled to drive the point home that we did not meet online and that I was not looking for someone from another country (nor was she)... There is a stigma attached if you go out of your way to meet someone from another country and people always find a round-about way to broach the subject.

I don't think there's a stigma with meeting online anymore.

Unless the people are a lot older. For a lot of younger people, meeting online is a norm.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

[BobnCherry 10]

Ok ya lost me Tim

[Tim/Mav 305]

Ok ya lost me Tim

I get carried away sometimes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fbQv11rwnQ&feature=BFa&list=ULJKTGHzVly8w&lf=mfu_in_order

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

I don't think there's a stigma with meeting online anymore.

Unless the people are a lot older. For a lot of younger people, meeting online is a norm.

There should not be a stigma but there certainly is one.. There was a thread some months back about reducing fraud.. among the suggestions were the elimination of co-sponsors, the elimination of the K-1, etc, etc.. One of the suggestions was not allowing visas for people who initially met through the internet. Crazy of course but there are people even on this site that feel that way.. The stigma is much stronger if, say, a dating or introduction site was used.

Sorry off topic I know...

On topic of the visa fees: I am very happy that it is a self-funded service and I don't find the fees that out-of-line (I never had the "buying a spouse" feeling). The process could use some transparency and people could be treated with a tad more dignity at certain steps.

[Tim/Mav 305]

There should not be a stigma but there certainly is one.. There was a thread some months back about reducing fraud.. among the suggestions were the elimination of co-sponsors, the elimination of the K-1, etc, etc.. One of the suggestions was not allowing visas for people who initially met through the internet. Crazy of course but there are people even on this site that feel that way.. The stigma is much stronger if, say, a dating or introduction site was used.

Sorry off topic I know...

On topic of the visa fees: I am very happy that it is a self-funded service and I don't find the fees that out-of-line (I never had the "buying a spouse" feeling). The process could use some transparency and people could be treated with a tad more dignity at certain steps.

I'm only joking here. Spouses are never ON SALE. The fees have to be paid.

But, curious. Internet dating sites.

But, the first line on Your Timeline indicates. We met a Dance Club in the Dominium Replublic. OMG! Now what is a innocent girl doing at a dance club. Bet you looked Hot.