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his base at the end of January. And as with all aspiring teachers, Lyubov had an obligation to work for three years at any school the state specified. The schools were oen very far om Moscow. For no cost, students would receive five years of training and a stipend. In exchange, they had to give three years of service. Unless Lyubov and Iosif acted quickly, forces beyond their control would tear them apart. On a train back to Moscow, Lyubov told Iosif about her hopes and dreams. Lyubov talked about wanting a family. She asked Iosif if he wanted to spend all his life in Volsk, which was situated on the Volga River. It was lovely in the summertime, with many lakes and beautiful woods. The city had a robust night life, with lots of clubs and concerts, a nice theater, a cinema, and two officer's clubs. Even though it was attractive, Iosif told her no. His goal was to take the entrance examination to the Moscow Aircra Military Engineering Academy. Iosif told his future wife that his goal was to become an engineer in the Soviet Air Force. It wasn't easy for Iosif to explain to Lyubov that he would have to spend at least one more year in Volsk. "What could I do?" he told Lyubov as the train compartment gently swayed back and forth and lulled them to sleep. But he said he wanted to live in Moscow. He said he would spend the year preparing and working hard to be the best candidate possible for the following year's examinations in order to be enrolled into the Moscow Air Force Engineering Academy. Lyubov asked Iosif why he decided to become an officer. He explained to her, as he had his father, that he had been draed in 1942. The war ended in 1945, and then he waited to be discharged. He was working as an aircra mechanic, but was getting older and older. In 1949, Iosif decided that "if I'm going to stay in the military, it is better for me to be an officer." To that end, he spent one year in an officer training program in Kiev. Aerwards the Air Force sent Iosif to the Volsk Military Aircra Mechanical College as an instructor teaching Lyubov and Iosif were together on the train when he looked at her. As always, he was enchanted by her gaze. "What would you say if I asked you to be my wife?" This was not exactly the most romantic marriage proposal in history. In fact, technically speaking, it's not really a proposal at all. Naturally, Lyubov was confused. "What kind of question is that?" she said, offering Iosif another chance. Iosif quickly jumped at the opportunity he had missed. "Wait a minute," he said. "Are you going to marry me?" Lyubov looked at him. "I've known you for just two days now," she said. "Today is January 12th, right?" Iosif nodded wordlessly. "We met on January 10th. That's two days! I don't know you, you don't know me. Why are you proposing to me?" Some men need three chances to get it right. Iosif took a deep breath. "Lyubov, I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I want you to be my wife forever. Will you marry me?" Lyubov consented. "I was so happy I grabbed her for a big hug," he remembers. The lovers were on a crowded train and everyone watched in amazement as this very distinguished man in the uniform of the Soviet Union Air Force hugged a petite woman. Public displays of affection are not common on crowded trains in Russia, but Iosif and Lyubov could not control themselves. "I'm sorry, but this beautiful girl just agreed to be my wife," Iosif announced. Their happiness was contagious, and everyone on the train congratulated the young couple. Iosif Proposes to Lyubov Iosif Proposes to Lyubov

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