I proposed to my Ukrainian wife approximately three years ago.
Before doing so, I inquired as to the propriety of asking her father for her hand in marriage. I was told by several sources that Ukrainian fathers do not "give permission" to marry their daughters -- that is solely the daughter's decision. Nevertheless, I told my intended fiancée that to ensure we would be able to successfully navigate through the rough spots every marriage inevitably has, we would need her parents’ support when those rough spots came along. Therefore, I would not propose to her without at least a prolonged effort to first obtain their blessing.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 31 Jul 2009, 22:45, 1 reply, 16 years ago)

I traveled again to Ukraine to see her
and while there, hired a translator and set up a meeting to discuss marriage with her father. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Her father (Igor) told me in advance that 11 a.m. was fine but that he had another meeting and would need to leave for it around noon.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 31 Jul 2009, 22:46, Reply)

I thought I could say everything I wanted to say in 25 or 30 minutes so I accepted.
I wanted to tell Igor more about myself, what my family is like (I may have even brought to the meeting a picture or two), the depth of the relationship that I felt I had with his daughter, my attitude about marriage, and why I thought I could have a successful marriage which would bring happiness to his daughter.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 31 Jul 2009, 22:46, Reply)

etc etc.
Sorry, I may be a little tipsy.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Fri 31 Jul 2009, 22:48, Reply)

You be as tipsy as you like!

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Fri 31 Jul 2009, 23:17, Reply)

mawwage?
not been there yet
(Halfy By light alone, Sat 1 Aug 2009, 0:06, Reply)