We first met at a Korean spa, as part of a Russian language 'Meetup' activity. It was obvious from the first minute that we were made for each other (having both lived in Russia - studying at the same university; sharing a mutual love of cuisines across the world; both working in international development; and both understanding the soul-rejuvenating nature of a spa! We immediately started enjoying these activities together, marrying in 2015, buying a house in 2016, and adopting our 'fur baby' Leyla in 2018. We live in a diverse Maryland suburb of Washington, DC with a lot of families representing white, Black, Latino, and Asian communities. We moved here in the hopes of raising a family in a quiet, safe neighborhood with good schools and continue to enjoy the surrounding woods, nearby public swimming pools, and many of the international restaurants in the area.
John on Margaret
"Margaret will be a great mom because she is caring and loving"Margaret (Meg) is an incredibly caring and loving person who always puts the needs of her close friends and family above her own. She has a uniquely curious mind and is always exploring new avenues of learning - whether she is reading Pushkin in Russian with her book club or taking an online class on crop yields and seed production!
Since we first met more than 13 years ago, Meg has been my best friend and closest confidant. I turn to her for advice and to delve deeper into the ideas that are dominating my thinking at any given moment. She is loving and patient and her grounded nature helps us build a wonderful life focused on happiness. I can't wait to see Meg as a mother - she is such a warm and caring person with everyone in her life and I am convinced these wonderful attributes will only intensify in relation to her own daughter or son. Meg loves all children and has a knack with them, no matter what their age. Meg loves holding and cooing at newborns; encouraging and playing with toddlers; reading and chatting with young children; and talking and laughing with young adults. |
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Margaret on John
"John will be a great dad because he is gentle and patient"John is a steadfast and generous person. Since I first met him, I have been amazed by his ability to connect with and talk to different types of people. He is the kind of person who makes the world a better place. Years ago, we were on a date and this cyclist flew by us on a street in downtown DC. As he passed us, the cyclist dropped his keys and John called out, “Hey, you dropped your keys!”. The cyclist couldn’t hear him and rode away. John picked up the keys, contacted the bike share company on the key ring and got in touch with the guy to return his keys.
John and I met at a Russian Meetup in Northern Virginia in 2009. We both spent time studying abroad in Russia and had a lot to talk about. A mutual friend once described me and John as “two peas in a pod”. It might sound hokey, but we are actually well suited to each other in terms of our personalities, similarities and differences. John not only loves me but is happy to watch 1930s Soviet propaganda cartoons with me on a 4-hour bus trip. We live in a diverse Maryland suburb of Washington, DC with a lot of families representing white, Black, Latino, and Asian communities. We moved here after we got married in 2015 in the hopes of raising a family in a quiet, safe neighborhood with good schools. John will be a great dad because he is gentle and patient. He is good at cuddling babies and is adept with toddlers. He knows how to cajole our friends’ kiddos when they are tired or fussy and he finds things that they like to eat. He started babysitting in college and remains close with his four nieces and nephew, who range from age 13-25 now. My 9-year old nephew gets along especially well with him and he likes to read Calvin and Hobbes with John. John is playful and has a quick sense of humor. He lives by his principles and demonstrates his values with every day choices, like prioritizing family and relationships with loved ones and friends. |