Long time no see...

Hello there!!

I know its ages ago when I last posted something on here. Somehow, I kinda forgot about it but I promise I´ll try my best to post on here more often again.

Since my last post, a lot of things happend!!

I´m in the States for one month now...  Time flies, its crazy!!  

Eric and I got married on September 16th at the City Hall. It was such a beautiful day and I´m happily married to the most amazing man.

                              

On Tuesday we have sent the papers for the health insurance and I had my first appointment at the dentist!! So it feels more and more like home!! 

Right now I´m working on the forms for the AOS! We´ll try to send them out by next week, so we´re finally done with all the paperwork for a while.

Thats all the news for right now. I´m doing great over here and I still cant believe that I wont have to leave anymore and that we now can start our lifes together!

Thats it for now. I´ll talk to you very soon... I promise!

Laura

The holy Envelope...

Hey,

yesterday I picked up my Visa at the post office. On my way home I couldnt stop to stare at this big envelope. When I got home I opend it very carefully.

The first thing that I grabbed was my Passport. This Visa foil looks really cool. Of course I checked if all the info on there was correct and found a little mistake. Unfortunately, they spelled Erics middle name wrong, so I was worried a little. So I sent a email to the Consulate to make sure that I wont have any problems when arriving in the U.S. 

The Consulate answered back very quickly and told me that there will be no problem.

Then I took out the holy envelope aswell as a small white evelope. On both it says "DO NOT OPEN!" .

I checked the holy evelope, to make sure its not broken or anything. At the Consulate I was told that this evelope will have a missing corner... but mine is fully closed and sealed.

Now, both sealed evelopes are in my suitcase so it cant get damaged!!

On Sunday, I already started packing. 

I´m counting the days till I can leave. I cant put in words how excited I am to be with Eric so soon!!

I still have to do a couple of things till I´m leaving, so I keep myself busy, which is good cause the time goes by faster and soon I´ll be sitting on the plane!!

That´s all for now but I´ll be posting very soon!

Laura

The Interview!!

Hey Hey...

as you all know, I had my Interview on Friday.

I can tell you, I´ve never been so nervous and excited in my entire life as I was that morning. 

My stomach hurt so bad and my heart was pounding!! 

I actually had the appointment at 7.45 a.m. However, I arrived at the Consulate around 7 a.m.

So I waited in line. There werent a lot of people there, just one Lady was ahead of me!

At first I had to go to a Window, where I had to show my passport to a man! He checked if I was on the list and gave me a number. Then I had to pass a police officer. He asked me if I had a phone with me. You´re not allowed to bring any electronic things, such as phones, laptops, Ipods, Cameras etc. with you!

Then I had to go to the security. Its like the security at the airport. Then I had to go to another building! I walked through a lobby and into this huge hall! There was a little Info desk! I went there and showed my number to a young man. He was American but spoke awesome German. He told me to take a seat at the pink wall and then will be called by counter 23. 

There were 299 seats in the hall with 23 counters! All employees were behind windows. You had a microphone in front of you and a speaker hanging on the wall!

So I sat down next to the pink wall and was waiting. The wait seemed so long and the nervousness didnt want to dissapear. After a while I had to go to counter 23. A nice Lady was waiting for me. I had to give her the paper that we paid the visa fee, a passport picture and my passport. She also gave me a note that said how to bring in order my documents.

So I went back to my seat where I started to bring in order the documents, when I had to go back to counter 23. She forgot to ask me if I got the medical done and gave me back the passport picture cause they had too many of me.

After another wait, I had to go to counter 21! First I had to write down Erics name on a form, correct two forms cause I somehow forgot to put the city in Erics adress. Then I gave her the documents. I also had to write my adress on a big brown envelope and put the stamps on it.  Then we quickly checked back all my information and she explained everything about the visa. The visa is coming in a big, brown envelope, where my passport will be in and another envelope with a missing corner and a seal! She said I´m not allowed to open this evelope or damage it in any way! When I arrive in the U.S. I have to give it to an Immigration Officer, just they are allowed to open it! Then she gave me a Book called "Welcome to the United States - A Guide for new  Immigrants". It has alot of good info in it!

Then I had to wait again. This time it felt like I waited for hours. I knew this is the most important part! I couldnt sit still. After a while I saw a Lady on counter 17 and they called my number.

So I went to counter 17. A nice, older lady was saying hi to me and then she already started her questions.

She asked: Where is your fiance right now, when did we meet, when did we meet in person, how long did I stay,  has he ever been to germany, has he met my family yet, have I met his family, are his parents still alive, how many sisters does he have, are they still living at home, does he have any kids, do I have any kids, how do we want to get married. Then she asked me how I learned such good english and I told her that I basically taught it myself. After all the asking she went through all the documents, especially Erics Bankstatements and employment letter. Then she said "Well we´re just waiting for your medical record and you´ll have your visa in 7 to 14 days. Good luck"

That´s it... I did it. On the way out I took a deep breath and there it was.... the smile on my face. As I came outside to my mom I was jumping around and started crying. I was so relieved. Actually it wasnt that bad. The whole staff was so nice and made me feel very comfortable!

Now, two day later I feel great. I´m just really relieved and I´m looking forward to be with Eric in 3 weeks. The whole waiting was worth it cause now I´m just happy to be with him soon and to get married to the most awesome man!! 

So right now I´ll try to enjoy the last weeks here in Germany as much as I can and try not to be too sad about me leaving, cause I know what I´ll do this for!! 

Talk to you soon!

Laura

The medical!

This morning I left around 9 a.m. to get my medical done. When I arrived at the doctors office it was around 9.30 a.m. 

The nurse gave me a number and told me to go upstairs and wait there. After 5 minutes another Lady and gave me a Form to fill out. After a while I had to go into an office. The Lady explained to me that I have to come back in after I´m done with everything cause I need to pick up some paper that I´ll need for the AOS process later. She also told me that I´m going to get a disc with an xray picture of my lung! After that I gave her my passport, my vaccination record, a passport picture and paid. Then I had to go downstairs to pee in a cup, my blood was taken and the xray of my lung. When I was done I went back upstairs. A very nice doctor was waiting for me. She asked me some questions, checked if I´m healthy, and if my eyes are okay and thats it. I went back to the office to get the paper and the disc. Everyone wished me all the best!! So I was done after about half an hour. 

I also met a girl there. She first talked to my mom while I talked to the doctor! When I came back I asked her what Visa she applied for. She said K1, so I asked where she´s going to go and she said she´s moving to the Boston area. So I found a new neighbor today :)

Tomorrow is the big day! The Interview! 

So right now I´m going to take a shower, check all the documents once again and then go to bed. The night will be over by 5 a.m.

So I´ll talk to you after the Interview!

Laura

...in 5 days!

Hey,

so in 5 days, on August 5th I will have my Interview for the Visa.

Wednesday I´ll go to Frankfurt. Thursday I will be doing my medical, which is needed for the Visa. And then on Friday is the big day.

Right now my mood is changing every minute. It goes from serenity to happiness, to nervousness and anxiety...

However, two very nice girls, I´ve met through a Forum, calmed me down the past few days. They´ve answered  all my questions, they described to me how the whole Interview process works, and especially encouraged me repeatedly that I´ll make it and at the end can walk out of the Consulate quite proud. 

So I want to say thank you to Jenny and Sina! :) 

Actually, I´m prepared really well! I go through all the questions they could ask and I´m checking all the documents. 

I can tell you I´m so happy when this Interview is over. Eric is at least as nervous as I am!! So you all have to cross your fingers for me, on Friday, August 5th at 7.45 a.m., german time :)

I´ll post you a report after the Interview!

Laura

Final steps...

Hey there,

I´m back with some new info!

On Thursday, Pack 4 arrived and the Interview appointment was set for July 29th.

Unfortunately, I had to change the appointment cause I applied for the Police Record too late and it takes them two weeks to send it to me. Therefore, I changed the Interview appointment to the Week after.I´m not sure what exact Date the Interview will take place, yet. But they send me a new invitation for the Interview which sould be here someday next week. I assume that my Interview will be the first August week. 

So I´m already really nervous and excited! This is the final step to the Visa. Right now I´m going through all the papers over and over again, to make sure I have everything I need. I cant wait to go to Frankfurt and get through this Interview and then hopefully go home with the knowledge to have the Visa in the Mail soon. 

This morning I also booked my flight to Boston.

August 29th will be the day I finally can go back home, to my Babe. I´m already so happy to see Eric again and for everything else that is coming.

So now I start my personal countdown... In 5 Weeks, Eric and I will be together again!

Wish me all the best and cross your fingers for me, for the Interview.

Of course there´s going to be an extra post before and after the Interview.

Talk to you all very soon.

Laura

~ Let me go home, I´m just too far from where you are... I wanna come home~

Pack 3

Last week I got Pack 3 in the mail. Luckily, I already had all needed documents here, so I sent everything back to the consulate the next day. Now I´m hoping to get my Interview appointment someday this week. Eric and I want to book the flight as soon as we know the appointment for the Interview. I´m already super excited to finally know the date I can go back to him!!

At the moment there´s an up and down of emotions... One day I´m all fine and I´m happy that soon everything will come to an end and the next day I´m sad because I miss Eric so much. I cant wait for this one day I finally can go back and all the stress falls off of me and I´m back in his arms again. Tomorrow I´m going to pick up my police record and go to get some post stamps, then I´m definitely all set for the Visa.

On Saturday we had a small Family day. I met my Mom, my Brother, his Girlfriend and her kids at the lake. It was really nice... and then I just realized that soon a whole new life, far away from home, will begin. I wont see my Family and Friends that much anymore. My Brother and I ended up crying cause he´s always been a really important part of my life, he´s always been there for me and I´m going to miss him a lot.

I´m going to try my best to enjoy my last weeks in Germany as much as I can... and then fly in my new home, with alot of anticipation... and be with the man I love more than anything. 

I´ll talk to you all soon... :)

My Week!

Hey,

after about a week I´m back :)

I still can´t believe that we´re approved and that now everything is coming together slowly.

Currently, I´m waiting for my Pack 3 to come. I already filled out all needed Forms yesterday. It took me about 2 hours... And I´m glad I´m done with this part!! 

Now, I only need a few small things, such as passport pictures, birth certificates and my criminal record.

Thursday was a great day as well!!

My Weddingdress came in, I ordered it online and got it custom made! It is such a beautiful dress. Its´s just a little too long, cause I´m too small I guess :) But thats not a big deal, I´m going to get it fixed when I´m over there. I´m looking forward to the day I can put it on, even though its more than one year away from now, since we "only" get married at the City Hall this year... The "real" wedding is going to be next summer, and I so cant wait for it! But yeah, one year can go by so quickly! 

So, for now I´m hoping to get Pack 3 soon. After I sent it back I´m going to get my appointment for the Interview which is hopefully soon so I can go back to Eric, as we planned it, in September. 

So please, keep your fingers crossed for us :) 

I hope you all are going to have a great rest Weekend!

Laura

quick update...

It can go so fast... 2 days ago I was writing about how I´m hoping to get something soon, speaking of the Visa... and now its time...

This morning I was talking to Eric, as usual, before he has to work and when it was time for him to go in I decided to check our online status on the USCIS page.... and what did I see?!

Our Status went from initial review to  post decision activity... I just cried of joy and I was shaking so bad... Our case is approved and is now going to Frankfurt... Soon I´ll have my medical and Interview... It´s an awesome feeling to know that we´re one step closer to being with each other again.

Well that´s all I wanted to tell you for now :)

The smile on my face wont fade, for the rest of the day :)

Yours, Laura

Long distance Relationship...

Long distance relationships can be really hard... but you also learn a lot from it.

Actually, I´m not the person who is made for LDR, but somehow we make it all work well. Of course there are times where you´re just not in the mood to just talk on Facebook or Skype all the time. I´m probably the one who has more problems dealing with this situation. I´m always begging that Eric comes to visit me and often I´m just really sad. For me its like a Rollercoaster ride of emotions. One day you´re just so happy and the next day you don´t even want to get out of the bed. Luckily, this crying every night stage is over lol.

Eric is the stronger one, he´s just trying to focus on the fact that I´ll be back with him soon. He´s also trying hard to make me feel better and motivate me, when I feel sad.  When I have my sad moods, I can be really annoying and I really appreciate that Eric is still dealing with that lol. 

But there´s also a good side to long distance relationships. You learn to appreciate each other much more, and not to take the one you love for granted. You also grow together as a couple a lot... Anyway, that is how it is with Eric and me. I feel so close to him even though we´re far apart. He´s my best Friend and I love him more than anything... And no matter how difficult this distance is...sometimes, it´s worth to wait for some people.

Sometimes, I can´t find words for how much I miss Eric, and more important, for how much I love him for everything he is and for everything he does for me and our relationship. Sometimes I think I might explode someday, with so much love in my heart :)

As I said, LDR are not always easy. But when it´s meant to be... it will be and it´ll make the relationship much stronger. And the thought of being back with Eric in a few month, makes the whole waiting a lot easier... :)

~You know it's true love when no matter how far the distance is he can still make you smile~

The Proposal...

In January, I flew back to Eric to spend another 3 month with him. It was so good to see him again after this long wait and everything was so much more intense than the first time. Also, I was so glad to spend my Birthday and Valentine´s Day with him. 

So came my Birthday on February 7th, which was by far the best Birthday I ever had.

In the morning we went and Eric got his hair cut. After we got back home, I went to take a shower. When I was done I sat down at Erics Computer, to check my Emails. He was laying on the Couch and somehow I had the feeling that he was kinda nervous. He asked me to come to him. I sat down next to him, he gave me a kiss and said he loves me. Then he pulled out a ring box and all I could think was "oh my god" lol. Then he asked me if I want to marry him. Of course I said yes. We both had teary eyes. Everything was just perfect. The ring was so beautiful and I couldnt stop staring at it. However, we decided to get it sized cause it was a little too big. So I had to give it away after just 2 hours lol. I couldnt stop smiling all day, especially when I realized that I´m now engaged to the most amazing man in the whole World. We also went to see a movie and then went to Erics Mom... She had baked a Cheesecake for me :)

A few days later, we slowly started to get together all needed documents for the Visa petition. We sent the Petition on February 25th 2011. In April I had to go back to Germany. We now wait for our so-called NOA2.Almost 4 month passed and I hope we´re getting something soon!!

The fist visit!

The last weeks before leaving went by slowly and I spent the time applying for my passport, I logged on to the ESTA site and I booked the plane tickets. Eric and I couldnt wait to see each other soon. So the big day came, and I flew to Boston. During the flight, I couldnt stop thinking about everything and I was super nervous. After about seven hours of flight and  going through security check, I was so glad to finally get my suitcase and see Eric. There were so many people when the door to the lobby opend but I couldnt find Eric. I sent him a text message if he´s there. It turned out that he was waiting one floor above me. So I was waiting for him to come down, when he suddenly came down the escalator. He already saw me and I could see how he was smiling. I went up to him and we said hi. Both of us were shy and nervous. I´ll never forget this moment. So we timidly hugged and went to his car. On the way there, he couldnt stop saying how glad he is that I´m there :) 

The first day passed and I knew I wanted nothing more than being with him. I was so happy from the very first moment being with him then I have ever been before. He took the first week off of work and he tried so hard to show me around as much as he could. We went to Newport, to the Beach, to Boston and Providence and it was always perfect with him. Week after Week passed and the feelings for each other grew every day! 3 month went by way too fast and I got more insecure about how our relationship is going to go on. I often asked Eric if he wants to see me again and I was wondering if he wanted a long distance relationship. I guess at that time I was kinda annoying sometimes lol 

October came and it was time to go back to Germany. Saying Goodbye was hard, the flight was terrible as well as the first weeks of being without him. But Eric was so awesome, showing me that he loves me and that he´s going to wait for me. We missed each other alot so in November we were booking a flight for January, where I visited him for another 3 month. But this I´m going to tell you next time :)

Laura

Once upon a Time...

Hey guys,

now I want to tell you how Eric and I met.

A little over one year ago I was so bored that I just looked at some profiles on Myspace. After a while I came across Erics Profile. I decided to write him a message, but never expected him to answer back. The next morning I was checking my E-Mails and actually had a message from him. So we started writing messages back and forth for a few days. One night we were online at the same time and started talking on this Myspace chat for hours. We got along so good from the very first moment, so we decided to talk the next night again. After a while we started talking on Skype almost every night. I began to send him Videos of me, just talking about random stuff. We also started turning our webcams on so we could see each other. We both knew that there was something special between us. Whenever there was a night we didnt make it to talk we missed each other alot. The longing to meet grew every day. First, we planned that Eric would come to visit me here in Germany for one week. After a few days we found out that I could come to America for 90 days with the visa waiver program. So Eric invited me to stay 3 Month. Weeks passed that we talked to each other for hours every night. We both knew that there´s more between us. Eventually, I confessed to him that I fell in love with him and he felt the same way about me. So we were waiting for August 1st 2010 to come fast. The day we would meet in person for the first time.

To be continued...

About us!

Hello,

my Name is Laura and this is my first Post on this Blog.

I decided to do this Blog for everyone that is interested in our Story. 

Who are we?! We... that is me, Laura, and my fiance Eric.

What is so special about our Story?

You can´t tell our Story in two sentences, that´s why I´m going to write more detailed in some future posts. 

To start with... Eric is American and I´m German. We met one year ago and filed for the K1 - Fianceé Visa, almost 4 month ago.

Why am I doing this Blog?! First of all I want to write this Blog for everyone that knows our Story and wants to be up to date. We´re having an exciting time ahead of us and I like this idea of writing it all in here. From the Moment we met, to the whole visa process up to my new life with my soon to be Husband in America. 

I hope you like this idea.

Laura