STORM2K

GILFORD, Mich. (AP) – A teenager who flew to the Middle East to be with a man she met on MySpace.com said Friday she intends to marry him.

"I love him very much," 17-year-old Katherine Lester said of Abdullah Jimzawi, 20, who works in his father's business delivering goods to West Bank convenience stores.

Ms. Lester appeared on ABC-TV's Good Morning America with her father and stepmother. Mr. Jimzawi also spoke with ABC during a taped portion of the segment, describing how the pair "can't live without each other."

After hearing what Mr. Jimzawi said, Ms. Lester began weeping.

"It's true," she said. "I love you. That's all I can say."

The two encountered each other about seven months ago on the social networking Web site but have never met face to face.

Ms. Lester, who turned 17 on Wednesday, was en route to Israel earlier this month when she was intercepted in Jordan by U.S. authorities who seized her passport and put her on a flight back to the United States.

Mr. Jimzawi has told The Associated Press that the two planned to marry and that Ms. Lester planned to convert to Islam. Ms. Lester, a Christian, declined to say Friday whether she intended to convert.

The two have resumed communication online since she returned home.

"Our initial reaction was to isolate her, to lock her up and just keep her safe here in America," said her father, Terry Lester. "But that's unrealistic because you can see the love they have for each other."

Authorities filed a runaway juvenile petition against Ms. Lester this week, and a judge ordered her to give up her passport and undergo counseling. If the judge finds that Ms. Lester was a runaway, she could be put under court supervision until she turns 18.
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Sounds like a teen that has nothing better to do with her life.

Sounds like a teen that has nothing better to do with her life.

I agree

sounds like a good candidate for an all-girl boarding school.

Feelings change so quickly at that age. I'm sure she will change her tune in a few weeks. When some other guy sweeps her off her feet.
Sometimes, love is so blind.

-justin-

I think her parents should be put away too.

Why can't she think of something constructive, like volunteering at a summer camp (like I did recently), or working, anything but fly to the Middle-East to marry while under-age.

Tstormwatcher wrote:I think her parents should be put away too.

Why? They probably thought they were raising a good kid. You are quite a negative person when it comes to parents. I say this after your "compassionate" response to Patsy Ramseys death.

Well first her parents blamed the government for letting their daughter get on the plane and then they let her get right back on myspace because they can tell that they "truely" love each other even though they never met. And for her being a really good girl, how many 'good girls' would lie to their parents so they could get a passport and travel to some foreign country to meet someone they have no idea who they really are? many parents are totally blind to how their teenagers really are, you see it all the time when they commit a felony or even kill someone. The parents always say the same old think, "they are really good kids"

And as for Patsy Ramsey, I believe that they are both guilty as sin. I believe that the husband killed the girl and Patsy covered up for him so she could still live in her rich dream world.

Ms. Lester, a Christian, declined to say Friday whether she intended to convert.

If she plans on moving there... she better!

A2K

I could definitely see someone falling in love with someone else over the internet.. A lot of the times people can be a LOT closer to each other online than in real life because theyre more open with their feelings..its a lot easier to say things that would otherwise go unsaid in real life friendships. And just because you've never seen someone in real life doesn't mean you haven't "met".

they wont marry if she doesnt convert. period. ms lester, get a wake up call!!!

This is another example of impulsive behavior by a teenager. Someone correct me if im wrong here please but do women in the Islam world have NO rights whatsoever? They cannot drive, work(except in certain jobs), wear dresses or shorts.etc. I do not think this young lady will last long in that type of environment.

Hate to say it but in most (not all) Islamic countries, women are little more than chattel, and this young lady needs to read up on the Sharia (sp?) laws, that are in many regions very strictly adhered to.

You're right, George, impulsive, and very uninformed/naive about just what she might be in for.

A2K

I would be more concerned what will happen if she goes. She knows nothing about this guy. He could be into sex slavery as far as she knows. Once you get into a foreign country on your own, watch out. I would be scared to death too, if I were her parents. Why not have him come here to meet them. What is the rush. Look what happened to the girl in Aruba.

Yeah; but Aruba is another kind of story altogether; but I see your point about knowing how differently the laws can apply, and how helpless one can feel given that environment--not nearly all countries have a justice system like ours. ( won't comment further on THAT).. actually, I'd have her sit down and watch that TRUE story--was made into a movie, and I can't think of the name right now... about this girl and her mom being trapped in some Islamic country (might've been Turkey; but not fully certian on that)... and jeeez.. the incredible tale of horrors for them in trying to get OUT of that country and back to the US... even the government was totally helpless.... a real thriller...and a TRUE story...

A2K

i'm sorry but what does Aruba have to do with any of this?

I smell a Romeo and Juliet type conclusion coming upon the couple. As in tragedy.

alicia-w wrote:i'm sorry but what does Aruba have to do with any of this?

I think the point was when you are an American and you go to another country you are not protected by American law. There is little the US government can do for you if you become a victim of foul play. Something to think about if you plan on travelling abroad.

I wonder what Ms. Lester knows about Islamic laws and customs. Maybe she better learn before she moves over there.

Whatever floats your boat I guess... LOL I hope the have a good life.

Technically she would be under the laws of Israel which occupies the great majority of the West Bank. Not a good place to be at all, just a bit better I'd say than Saudi Arabia or The Sudan. She should really stay in America and have him come here.