I think initially he was looking for some companionship followed quickly by a "be like dad"... marry a sicilian.

I think too much is made about Kay and how it makes Michael look. As far as I know... Michael got out of bad situations because of Michael... not because of his waspy wife.

IMO Michael wanted a REAL, HARDCORE SICILIAN family. That was his goal. The once first option in Kay became a 2nd option... only because Appolonia was killed.