The adventures of Lan and Nate

The writing years...

The first letter I wrote to Lan was in the spring of 2006, and it was really just an introduction. Highlights of my life, things I liked and didn't like, that sort of thing. Lan wrote back, and something in her letter really struck me. To this day I can't really describe it except to say that I felt something in those words. She didn't know much English and so her letter was very simple, just telling me a little about her life, but within those simple words I saw a person who was a very good hearted person trapped in a bad situation. She had to work all the time for almost no money, and she had almost no existence outside of work.

I was intrigued, and so I asked a lot of questions of Christine, and as the story unfolded I saw that Lan was a person trapped by their social and economic station in life. It's a typical story in many third world countries, and it made me sad that a good person like Lan would have to live a life where she worked 13 hours a day, 6 days a week for less than $80 a month. I decided to continue writing her, and find out more about this person.

I wrote her at least twice a month for the next 3 years. She wasn't able to write me as much, because of her poor English skills. It would take her a very long time just to write me a simple one page letter, and so I always appreciated any letters I got from her.

For two of those three years I tried to find the money and the time to go visit Lan in Vietnam, unfortunately things fell through and so I was unable to go. Finally after the fourth time trying to plan a trip to Vietnam it happened. The tickets were bought, Christine got the time off work, I got my passport and visa and I was ready to go.

The adventures of Lan and Nate

How we met...

I guess our story is not your typical love story. I should start by saying that I am not someone who jumps into things easily. I am very cautious, and so I've always been a bit commitment phobic. I take forever to decide if I like someone enough to really give them my heart and soul. I have always maintained that I would never marry someone unless I'd lived with them for at least 2 years first. I have taught Romeo & Juliet for several years, and I always thought that rushing into love like they did was foolish and stupid. I swore that I would never rush love, and then I met Lan.

It was my Mom that set me up...which is another thing I swore I'd never do, let my Mom set me up with someone, but when my Mom's right she's right. Anyway my Mom had a friend named Christine who was from Vietnam and Christine had a niece living in Vietnam who wanted an American pen pal. She was studying english and wanted to practice her english, at least that was the official story. My Mom asked me if I would write her a letter. I was naturally suspicious, knowing that there was probably more to the story than what I was hearing, but I also thought that one letter wouldn't hurt anything, and I was curious to know someone from that part of the world. So I wrote her a letter...