Well, it’s been just over 6 weeks since I sent off the I-129F form for the initial petition to get David over here. No news yet, but the Vermont Service Center (the other center being California) has started approving petitions earlier than usual, so hopefully we should hear something within another month or two.
We’re getting information together now that we’ll need once the application passes through USCIS and the National Visa Center, like David’s police report, immunizations, and my IRS tax receipts. You have to have made at least 125% of the poverty line (or have a co-sponsor) to ensure that the immigrant doesn’t end up on welfare, which is actually a good idea, in my opinion. I also found out that on one of the future forms that David will have to fill out, he has to list all the countries (including dates) that he has traveled to in the last 10 years, or since he was 13 years old. Wow. Being European, he’s been to Spain, France, the U.S., Canada, etc. many times. I won’t envy him trying to remember all those times : )
Once David adjusts status (to get a green card, ability to work, and ability to leave the U.S.), our visa journey will be far from over…in two years after we get the green card, we’ll file for “Removing Conditions” so that he can get a 10 year permanent resident green card. Three years after we adjust status, he’ll be eligible to file for U.S. citizenship, taking the test and everything. He’s pretty much decided he’d like to do that (becoming a dual citizen) because this will allow us to travel around the world without worrying if he has spent too much time out of the U.S. but that also means we won’t be going on any extended trips outside the U.S. for awhile.
On the wedding front, my dress has arrived! I can’t try it on (or see how “white” it is since I got that instead of the ivory posted on facebook) because it’s at home in Seattle, but I’ll be getting it fitted in February when I go home to visit with David. While there, we’ll be interviewing caterers, working on wedding invitations, have our engagement party, and go on what’s called an “Engagement Encounter.” This is a retreat required by many Christian religions in the U.S. and is a weekend away with other engaged couples to talk about marriage, implications, the future, how to handle arguments, etc.
I just got back from seeing David about a week ago where we went to a London opera, found The Leaky Cauldron (as according to Steve Vander Ark), and went to one of the oldest pubs in London, more than 400 years old. I also got to see the Tower of London where they house the Crown Jewels–the scepter and crowns and coronation gowns, etc. Amazing and gorgeous! Definitely highly recommended. We also spent a couple of days in Rotherham (David’s home) and I got to meet David’s grandmother again along with one of his aunts. They’re both lovely ladies and I enjoyed hearing about their families.
Can’t wait until November when I see David again for Wrockstock, which is a weekend away at a YMCA camp where about 20 bands will play Wizard Rock, music about Harry Potter. It’ll be my third year going; I’m on staff this year and will be a “welcome” person to answer people’s questions and getting them settled in. Fun times!
Hope you are all doing well!
-Justine