"I didn't want to get married to any man."

"I was a girl who was never interested in any form of relationships including marriage, but got married when I was 23," says Tomomi, a Japanese woman who met and married her American husband Hale in NY, and who now lives with him in Los Angeles, California. "And now it will soon be our 13th anniversary." Currently, Tomomi and Hale are working as writer/photographer for the Japanese magazines, WAN, HAPPY TRIMMER, CATS and work as a pet stylist team. "We are a freaky and fun team and think it's a pretty cool relationship."

What took Tomomi to the USA? "I was thinking that I would go to a foreign country someday ever since I was little," she says. "I was looking for freedom. Living in Japan at the time was such torture for me. Maybe not now, but there are issues with senpai (seniors), kouhai (juniors), men, women, age, etc. I felt Japanese categorize every little thing. But I don't say there are no prejudices here in America either."

Tomomi went to America as an exchange student. "I decided to be a cheerleader when I went to college, so I become one! I was into dancing at that time, so, I went to New York and started going to dance school," Tomomi says. "Let me tell you this, I didn't want to get married to any man from anywhere from any planet. Never! I don't like men. Relationships never interested me. But unfortunately (fortunately?), I met a guy with strong New York accent while I was at dance school during summer vacation.

"He was popular and hanging out with girls, boys, gays, people from all nationalities. He was kind of like a landmark at the school," Tomomi says with a laugh. "I thought to myself, 'Is he gay? Bi-sexual? Straight?" Did she feel love? "I never thought about that. I found he was safe, funny. It was just comfortable being together."

"I knew my New York accent and attitude frustrated her," Hale says. "You know New York English - it's very arrogant and aggressive. That's why nobody likes New Yorkers. But she has gotten used to it now. She's becoming like me in the way she talks. She doesn't back-off. She says what she thinks and what she has to say, but she is the most charming girl I have ever met."

"I love accents now." Tomomi says. "I think my accent is charming and others are SEXY! It's part of me. Being natural is the best! Having an accent is charming and for many there is no shame in having one."

"We disagree about things but don't yell at each other. We are best friends!" the couple says. "I know she treats me like crap sometimes, but I listen to her," Hale adds. "I feel like I must be nuts sometimes or I may just be crazily in love with her. I still don't know why though? Also, we both have a bad sense of direction so there is never a dull moment in a car, too," he laughs.