William F. Slater,
III
Chicago, Illinois
United States of America
Greetings! Joanna Roguska and I are very happy to announce to the world that we have united as man and wife, and that we will make our home together here in Chicago.
We met on the Internet in August 1999 when Joanna contacted me regarding a Civil War History site that I own and operate. Joanna was living in Poland and we did not know each other prior to her contacting me. From August 1999 though June 21, 2000, we were constant e-mail penpals, often writing each other several times a day.
On June 22, 2000, I brought Joanna to Chicago, to visit me and learn about Chicago, the U.S. and my life as a computer professional. A short time after she arrived, we realized that we were in love with one another and became boyfriend and girlfriend. Since that time, we have become inseparable. We are slated to travel back to her native Poland on December 20, 2000, so we decided that since we felt like we were meant for each other, that we would commit to one another, marry, and plan to spend the rest of our lives together here in the U.S.
Below are excerpts of a letter I wrote to Joanna's parents, explaining our desire to marry:
"I adore Joanna and everything about her. I am so proud of this wonderful woman and what she has added to my life. And she might tell you herself, that as a gentleman, I even treat her better than most American men treat their women. I call her my "Polish Princess" and treat her accordingly. I have included Joanna in practically every aspect of my life. And in every situation, there is a strong and peculiar sense of familiarity and comfort, as if she belongs with me in all these situations. She is not only the woman I want to marry and take care of for the rest of my life, she is my student, my protégé, my assistant, my best friend, and my colleague. No matter if it’s programming, studying, writing, movies, eating, traveling, etc., we love each other’s company and greatly enjoy doing everything together. Every day with Joanna feels like a Gift from God. I am certain that the fact that Joanna and I were brought together, is evidence that there is a loving God in control of the Universe, and that this is an act of His loving unmerited Grace.
"As my new wife, I can assure you that I will always take the absolute best care of Joanna and her needs. Also, I will provide her with the transportation to and from Poland every 12 – 14 months. And it is my hope that we can bring both of you to the U.S. to see how we live and show you around within the next two years.
"I am not a rich man, but I do make a very good living. I have had a successful career in Information Technology, and the sudden explosion of the popularity of the Internet (which is what helped bring Joanna and I together in the first place), has solidified my good prospects for my future as a consultant, a high tech worker, and a teacher. But Joanna will never want for anything. In fact, my efforts to help her acquire skills will nicely facilitate her participation in the high-tech work force. I estimate that within 12 months, she will be able to earn as much as $40,000 to $60,000 per year, doing what she apparently loves, which is web development and programming on computers.
"Though my apartment is small, modest, and crowded with 30 computers and over 3000 books, it has provided Joanna with vast resources to work with as she has acquired these new skills. And her participation as my assistant in my classes has allowed her to demonstrate these skills and increased her confidence as she assists others in my classes.
"Joanna’s ability to participate enthusiastically and fit into so many areas of my life and the things that I love to do is what convinced be that she is the woman of my dreams. I want to be her husband, and build her up and encourage her, and love her for the rest of my life. And I will care for her and support her in good times and in bad.
"Anyway, I hope you will see this new union as fulfilling both of our dreams, and that she is in the hands of someone who will treat her as good as gold. As her husband, I will always love her, adore her, take the best care of her, and help her be everything she wants to be in Life."
May God bless Joanna and our marriage.
-///-
A
Poem I Read for Joanna
during our wedding
William and Joanna's First Newlywed Pics
The Online Wedding Photo Album
Copyright 2000 by William F. Slater, III, Chicago, IL, USA, All Rights Reserved.
Last Updated: December 3, 2000 |