We moved to Washington, D.C., and I had three beautiful children. Although we were allowed to live and raise a family there, life was not easy. Richard had difficulty finding work as a builder. I, too, found it hard to raise three children in a small apartment in a crowded area.
　One day, our younger son was accidentally hit by a car while walking in the street. Fortunately, he wasn’t badly hurt, but this was not what I had hoped for when we moved there. So I made up my mind to fight for my family’s right to live in Virginia. I wrote the following to an important government official, the Attorney General of the United States: “Sir, I know we are not legally allowed to live together in Virginia, although we are married. However, we want to go back and be with our friends and relatives again. Will you please help us?”
　A few weeks later, we received a phone call. “My name is Bernard Cohen,” he said. “I’m a lawyer working to help people like you.” Mr. Cohen explained that the Attorney General sent my letter to him. He offered us legal support for free, and our fight began!