Guymon Newspaper Article

Is it possible to find true love on the Internet? Guymon native Epstein LaRue explores this element of romance in her book, "Love At First Type."

In the book, nurse Kathy's life is changed when she meets Jack on the Internet. Jack and Kathy are two people with vast differences and many commonalities. They live 1000 mils from each other. Jack is 25 years older than Kathy, and they are both married... to other people.

As they chat, they discuss the horrible marriages that they are involved in. Soon they thought crosses their mind that they can do better... together.

Leaving their spouses is no guarantee, and the two of them begin wondering if it is worth going agaist the odds.

The book itself is based on a true story. In 1996, she and "Jack" met via the Internet and fell in love... "at first type."

Epstein says that she had always wanted to write the story. She began the project in the summer of 2000, and completed it in November of 2000.

Ron and Jannette Funderberg, the owners of the Suburban Cinema's Northridge 5, had a similar experience. According to Jannette, who is from Australia, she and her husband met on the Internet in November 1996.

In May 1997, she came to Guymon. She had to apply for citizenship trhough the Immigration and Naturalization Service. She also had to deal with the Australian consulate.

After traveling back to her homeland, she came back to Guymon on a "fiancee" visa in February 1998. The couple were married in March of 1998. It was then, said Jannette, that she knew it was real.

Jannette received her permanent residency in September of 2000. She said, "People don't realize how long the INS takes to prcess your papers. We were really nervous up to the point."

Epstein also admits that part of the book is exaggerated. However, she says, ninety percent of the book is true.

Epstein was born in Guymon in 1967, and she spent most of the first 29 years of her life living between Guymon and Goodwell.

After high school, she earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in Natural Science Education. After looking for a teaching job and substituting for 3 years, she took a regular job as a Certified Nursing Assistant, and from there, she became interested in nursing.

She went back to school, and became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1992. She woked at a nursing home for 5 years and then went to a hospital and worked in the medical, surgical, and skilled or transitional units. In January 1998, she became a Registered Nurse.

Epstein and her husband are happily married, and they currently reside in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

Article From The Guymon Daily Herald