I watch too many romantic movies!

Absolutely adorable photos Patty!!  I am so happy for you both.
When is Ian leaving?  Fingers crossed that all the April 1st changes will not delay your application!! 

Hello!  Good to see everyone is doing all right....and welcome to the "new comers" :p

Soooo....I'm exhausted, but wanted to post a photo before I headed up to bed with my new hubby (WOO HOO!).

OH!  And I filled out the online application for the spousal visa today.  My biometrics is on Monday, then we'll be sending the stuff to the courier.  Woot!  Wanted to do the biometrics sooner, buuuttt......I have work Thurs. and Friday and can't get out for an appointment, so the earliest was Monday.  HOPEFULLY it'll be approved in time so I can go back with Ian.

And Chi!  Hope you made it to England all right!!! 

Also, not long now, Carey!!!  xxxxx

Ugh, I can't see pics from work...why don't these people understand my priorities!!!

How exciting...here's to hoping your visa app is approved quickly!

congrats patty!!

Hello All.

First, Patty and Ian - Congratulations!!! Beautiful pictures. Was your day so much fun?

Well, I made it after a VERY long day of flights. The first flight was absolutely awful, but the second made up for it cuz I got to fly business class... and if you haven't done that let me tell you, THAT is the way to go. SO nice. But there were some points where traveling with my head congested made me feel like my brain was about to explode. Not so much fun. Immigration took an hour to get through -and it was so nice to not have to worry about them sending me back cuz I already had my visa - luggage another half hour to get. Finally saw DH and it was so great. I'm happy to be here, and sad to be away from my family and everything familiar. Feeling like a fish out of water (guess some of my adventurous side has quieted down in the last few years), ALWAYS cold, even in the nice weather, and getting irritated at this UK keyboard . But, it's only day #2. The cold has now progressed into a cough, which after going out last night and talking a lot I have pretty much lost my voice above a whisper.

Gotta get to unpacking today, figure out where in the world to fit everything, and try not to cry. Wanted to get on and say hello to you all since I know you could probably relate. Thank you all, I really am grateful for this thread!

alright ladies lets see if I can not be stupid

omg Jamie and Patty you both look so beautiful in your pictures...and Jamie Alan looks so happy ....you all look gorgeous...and happy and in love ....yay I love Happily ever afters lol

Chi Chi Congratulations on arriving if you need anyone to talk to I am here for you lady...you will get settled and love it before you know it...at least you made it over here with out too much trouble...and business class is nice...they bumped me once to business and it was amazing....Good luck and congratulations

Carey what April 1st changes?

I have a question that maybe someone in here might know..I figure we are all friends so I will just throw it out there and if someone knows the answer that is great...if not I will have to start a thread...but I have a visitor visa that is good for 6 months in the UK for multiple visits...I am here till June 1st and then I am planning on going home for 2 weeks and then want to come back at the end of June for the rest of June and part of July then I will be going back to the states to get ready for the wedding...my question is since it is for multiple visits I should be able to reenter the country in June till July without too much hassle right?  I think I should because it is good for sixth months and I have the visa...I just want to double check

I went to see my first variety show the other night...it was geared toward the people in their 60s and up and Jason and I were the youngest in the audience but I must say I had a great time and I never laughed so hard...I just wanted to share

how are the rest of you ladies doing?

You BOTH looked BEAUTIFUL!  I feel like lately it's been a mass exodus from this country as far as this thread goes!  But I am so jealous of you ladies!

I've been really busy with school (go figure).  I had a scare last week, and was told that because I've worked "too far ahead", I wouldn't be able to study abroad.  Although I'm in my second year of uni, I'm technically a 1st semester Junior if you go by the number of courses I've taken. They tried to tell me if I go abroad next spring, I would end up running out of classes to take here in DC, and would violate this STUPID rule called the "ten out of twelve" rule, which basically states that 10 out of my last 12 classes need to be at Catholic University. After MANY frantic meetings, I've finally met with a dean who has compassion and he said either we'd "make an exception", or I could just take "pointless classes like basket weaving" if I run out of required classes to take.

So....if all goes well and I'm accepted to Queens, I'll be spending six fantastic months with my boyfriend next year.  And then moving over a year later.  I am SO EXCITED.  It's been getting to the point recently where I just keep thinking "is it REALLY worth being this miserable when we're not together?"  So I think some un-interrupted quality time is much needed at this point.

sigh.

Congrats to all the happy couples! I'm currently living vicariously through all of you!

I wish I could see the pics! 

chi chi, OMG how exciting...you made it!  So sorry about the head cold though...good luck getting un-packed and finding a place to put it...I know for sure I will feel that pain when I am finally living w/DF in the UK.  AND don't cry...this is an adventure that you were meant to be on and so many people wish they could be in your shoes!   

BB, so glad they made an exception for you...now you get to spend all those months with DBF. 

JEP, I think you should be ok, but I will defer that to someone that knows more about it.  I never got a multiple entrey visitor visa and entered the UK several times ove the course of 2 1/2 years with out any problems. 

Awww, I love all the pictures, my fiance doesn't understand why I get all girly over them, but he isn't gonna file for a visa, either

JEP, I assume you have a visitor's visa that you applied for in the US? There's a thread about those types of visitor's visas in the visa and immigration boards that someone was asking about, so you might be able to hijack it if you want

Josy, as long as the visa is multiple entry, then you will be fine. Does it say that somewhere?

Great news Brittany - that will be an awesome experience. And I just can say that I totally understand where you are coming from when you wonder if its worth being this miserable for the majority of the time that you are not together. I ask myself that all the time!

Beaufitul photos Jamie!  Thank you for sharing them.  You two look beyond happy!

Have fun unpacking, Chi.  Don't cry - your deams have come true!!!

Hi Folks! Just extremely busy here. Got a visitor for 2 weeks and trying to finish work before spring break (it's so crazy here!) I'll be going to TN for a few days starting this weekend, so that's something to look forward to.

Just want to chime in with the welcomes to newbies, Congrats to Patty (eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!) and WOOOHOOOOOO to Chi for getting over there! Sorry you're ill, but just imagine... this is it! As Carey said- your dream has come true! Feel better soon...
Well, just another minute till I pick up the kids from lunch. I will be around sporadically till after Spring break.

Bye!

HAH!

According to my Ticker that started counting UP when I arrived, I have been in the UK for 5 months, 2 weeks, and 6 days.

One week shy of the 6 months allowed on my visa.  Woot.

Anyway. Offline from now until LATE Monday night EST - if at all on Monday. I might just wait until Tuesday to pop online. 

Spending my last day for three months with Tim at a model boat show, of all things.  One of his close friends coordinates it and asked if Tim would man the door and take people's money before we knew I'd be leaving tomorrow, so I'm going to pack up a picnic lunch and walk down to meet him and then probably sit with him while he does the money taking until 3...tonight is a meal with Tim's family and then copious amounts of snuggling tonight. 

I'm all packed with what's going back to the US with me except for my laptop and hairbrush, so we can enjoy the evening without feeling stressed.  (although I really have an OCD notion to CLEAN like hell, but Tim's informed me I'm not allowed to do any cleaning today, not even the dishes!)

Aww Becca I am sorry you are going home...but you sound like you have had an amazing time and you will be seeing Tim before you know it...have a safe trip and enjoy your time with him....

Thanks Carey it does say multi visit....so I didn't think I would have a problem but from being refused last year before I had the visa I am a little gun shy....thanks Kittenfish I will check out that thread...thank you all for answering my question

Beth I hope your having fun....

Patty how does it feel to be married?

chi chi how is it going? are you getting settled? we are here if you need to vent or talk....

how are the rest of you lovely ladies?


Jamie your pics are gorgeous and you both look sooooo happy

*flies in*

Hello, ladies!!!

Becca, hope you have a safe flight back to the US.  We're having winter storm warnings all over the place here right now, so hopefully it won't mess up any flights.

Nice to see all you ladies doing well.  We're all uber busy right now!

Beth, hope you're enjoying Memphis!

Josy, how are things England side???  I miss you!!!!

Chi, how are you settling in??

Carey, how are things going for you?  Only a few more days until David arrives!! 

And Ian and I are doing well.  We spent just about ALL day yesterday putting together the visa/supporting documents binder.  I have my biometrics appointment today and then we're heading out to Chicago.  Spoke with the courier and the guy said we could hand deliver it to them, so we'll honeymoon for a few days out in The Windy City (even though they're getting snow).

Soooo......will update you ladies when we get back!  xx

Back in the US. Tim's sister is calling this my "holiday to America". 

The trip to the airport was uneventful, until that stupid "everytime you go away" song started playing on BBC2.  I shut off the radio and just lost it in the car. 

We got to the airport with plenty of time,and when we checked in my bags, the guy told me I didn't need to get to the gate until a half hour before boarding. Since that was almost 2 hours away, we headed to the Costa to just enjoy each other's company for a little while longer....and we talked.

Talked about how it would be so easy to walk back out the doors of Heathrow and go back to Lincoln together but how we *have* to play everything by the books, since we're aiming for keeps. Talked about getting married,and how Tim wanted to propose to me but didn't want to do it just for the sake of me getting a visa, but that he was pretty sure it's what he wants...

...and then I got back to the US, and talked to Tim for a bit.  He hates his house alone now, he misses me like crazy, and he cried when he got home.  

Me? I'm just as miserable, paired with still having my body on BST and barely gettin any sleep since Sunday night in Tim's arms.  *sigh*

100 days until he gets here. We can do it!