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When Nazeem Dollie couldn’t find his dream wife in South Africa, he turned to international online dating.
After three failed attempts, he was finally connected with Anna Ragozina (30) from Russia.
For Nazeem (38) and his now wife, it was love at first ‘site’.
The personal trainer said that he always knew that he wanted a wife from Russia because of how different they are in attitude.
“I got frustrated with the relationships I had in South Africa,” he told YOU.
“They were going nowhere and wanted real commitment – marriage. I noticed a vast difference in the attitude of Russian women and most western women,” he said.
“Most western women I knew did not see marriage and family as an immediate necessity.”
“I feel that they see it as a ‘nice-to-have’ thing and certainly not a priority, except the very few and far between.”
This led Nazeem to RussianCupid.com, where he began looking for a Russian bride.
He had his first relationship in 2012, and he eventually flew to Russia for the first time to meet his new lady love.
“My first trip to Russia was in October 2012, then my second trip in July 2014.”
“During both my 2012 and 2014 trips, I met two Russian ladies whom I thought were ‘The One’, but long story cut short it didn't work for various reasons.”
Although Nazeem was discouraged by his failed relationships, he thought he could give it just one more try.
“I thought I'd take a third and final chance to see if I can ace it, and I did in 2015.”
“On 10 January 2015, I came across a beautiful Russian girl. It was love at first sight for Anna and me.”
“Within 24 hours of exchanging emails, we began talking via Skype for an hour at 7 pm every evening to negate the three-hour time difference,” he said.
He then bought a plane ticket to Perm Krai and flew there to meet his wife-to-be.
“I landed at Perm International Airport on 1 May 2015 at 2 am.”
“We finally saw each other in person and kissed like two love-sick puppies, unable to get enough of each other.
“Within an hour of arriving at our hotel, I put a beautiful engagement ring on her finger and asked her to be my wife.”
“She replied: ‘I will be!’ in her strong accent.”
The love birds got married that same year in December and now two years later, they have a three-month-old son.
Although Nazeem completely believes in online dating he insists that anyone who wants to try it has to understand that they cannot build a real or lasting relationship without meeting the person they are speaking to face-to-face.
“There are just certain nuances (facial expressions, real energy, emotions) that cannot be relayed via online chats or video calls.”
“Many people get caught up in the mystery of staying too long on online dating.”
“Online dating is meant to be a short lived experience, merely to establish initial contact and find out some very basic information, after which I strongly advise that you meet the other person in a public place where both of you feel safe.”
Nazeem now lives in Russia with Anna. While he’d consider coming back home on holiday, he’d never return to live in the country.
“My family is very pleased and supportive of my decision.”
“My mother especially is very proud of the fact that my wife just gave birth to our first Russian son, which is her very first Russian grandson.”
Life for Nazeem has been very different in Russia and he says that he loves his new life in a new country with a new family.
“I've made up my mind that I would love to become a Russian citizen and I'd be pleased to renounce my South African citizenship in favour of Russian citizenship since I'd be retaining my permanent residence in South Africa, which means I'd be able to return at any time.”
