SOYUZ asked its readers if they believed in love

Evgeny Fedyaev, frontline soldier, Engels, 100:

• During the whole war, my classmate Valentina Antonova was waiting for me. From the hospital I wrote to her that I was sunbathing on the Black Sea coast. She replied, “Shame on you! People are fighting and you’re sunbathing.” We got married after the war in 1946, when I came on vacation. They lived together for seventy-three years. When my wife passed away, I wrote the following lines: “Forgive me for all my guilt before you, for laying the groundwork for my life in the wrong place, forgive me for all my sins.

Olga Veretennikova, teacher of Russian language and literature, Voronezh:

• Yes of course! Love is as essential to our life as air, water or food. Only love is much more useful. Without her, there would be neither you nor me – because our parents would not have started a family and had children, you and me. Without love, a person is doomed to loneliness, and this is a very sad state. Finally, love is not only necessary and useful, but also pleasant! Just like being loved.

Natalya Shekhovtsova, mother of many children, Rostov-on-Don:

• I met my love a bit by chance, I got the wrong phone number. Then a man called me back, he said he fell in love with the voice. At first it was a telephone affair, a month later we agreed on a date, he arrived. And you know, it was love! He – from the first “hello”, and I – at first sight. Now I am a housewife, we have four children. And I am happy !

Valentina Savelyeva, 64, Minsk:

• My husband and I have a history of acquaintance reminiscent of the movie “Office Romance”. Only the roles have changed. He worked as a foreman in a watch factory, and after school I came as an ordinary worker. We went together to exhibitions, to the cinema, to the dance floor. They couldn’t live without each other for a single day. They married two months later and have been together for 35 years. I still believe in love, but I understand that it’s not just crazy passion, but mutual respect, caring for the one you choose.

Vladimir Vasiliev, 45, Pinsk:

• Sending an e-mail. He was received by a specialist girl – so pleasant, neat. He returned home, but could not forget the beauty. I went back, but with flowers, invited me on a date. We have been married for 15 years. What to call it, if not love at first sight? And our son Gleb has sealed our union, he is going to CM1.

Vadim Denisov, leader of the rock band “Captain Dik”, Novosibirsk:

• Of course, I believe, moreover, I know that it exists. And if anything can save this hopelessly crazy world of ours, then only it’s love. Nobody and nothing else can do it.

Marina Nechay, 24, Vitebsk:

• My future husband and I met on the tram. After a sleepless night, I went to the exam, our eyes met – and he smiled sweetly. We started talking, met each other’s parents and planned a wedding.