ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
I have never heard of anyone filing the K1 and K3 at the same time. Are you engaged or married. Sorry, but I dont understand how or why you filed both of them???

QUOTE (Olivia* @ Jul 27 2008, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I filed the K3 in June 2007 and the K1 in July 2007. It was later I learned you could file them together. It took a week or two for each NOA 1 to come and 6 months before the NOA 2 came. It went through the NVC onto the Embassy in about 4 months and we've been waiting for an interview since April 2008. I just got an email from the consulate that they will notify us soon when the interview is. I check the site regularly but still waiting for whatever is going on if we're on hold or what because he was taken into the Egyptian Military in January.


RobinaFemalePakistan2009-02-15 23:03:00
Middle East and North AfricaMENA CR1/K3/K1 filers
We have had our interview (Nov 2007) and are pending for admin. processing since that time. He is from Pakistan, but it is treated more like a MENA country. Waiting is soooooooo hard. Is there anything that can be done at this point to speed it up?
RobinaFemalePakistan2008-07-28 23:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaStuck in Administrative Processing after approval
We have been in AP for 15 months, and have been told it may take years to finish. You are lucky Egypt should finish faster. I know how hard it is to be patient, but hang in there!
RobinaFemalePakistan2009-02-16 00:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaVisa Approved!
Mashallah! That's wonderful news!!! Congratulations and best of luck in your life together here.
BellaChele68FemalePakistan2009-11-25 14:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaPalestine jerusalem Interview.

Ps. Good luck on your Interview!! You must be so Excited!! :joy:



Ps. Good luck on your Interview!! You must be so Excited!! :joy:



Thanks Queenie...LOL

I'm a nervous wreck and my husband is as calm as can be. Pray for us!!!
BellaChele68FemalePakistan2010-02-02 20:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaPalestine jerusalem Interview.
Cases completed the first week of the month usually qualify for an interview the following month! Congratulations on making the cut!! :thumbs:
BellaChele68FemalePakistan2010-02-02 18:55:00
Middle East and North Africaislamic marriage and recognized
Wow, I'm confused....first of all what is Orfi?

In July my husband were married in a full traditional Pakistani Nikkah and had an Islamic Scholar, Judge and attorneys present for both my husband and myself. We are in love, we followed every letter of the Islamic laws (including the morality code before marriage), had our contract signed, witnessed, verified by all the legal minds at the ceremony and registered in Islamabad.

The US has fully recognized our translated Nikkah as a valid and binding marriage and I have had no problems changing my Social Security Card name, legal documents and applying for my husband's Visa. So IF you do marry legally and do all your paperwork properly the US WILL consider you legally married and bound to your spouse.
BellaChele68FemalePakistan2010-03-11 18:24:00
Middle East and North AfricaTHINGS TO MAKE THEM FEEL AT HOME
My honey has been here for two weeks now and is really struggling with homesickness. He really misses his family and it breaks my heart to see him struggle so much.

We've stocked up on spices and items for cooking the things that he likes, as well as "spicing up" American food--so I think we're ok on that end. I buy the frozen bread dough and make "homemade" bread for him, and he's discovered brownies and banana bread--which he's crazy over.

My youngest children are gone for the summer and my oldest is a college student and lives out of the house--so the lack of noise and family members (there are four brothers and a sister and uncle living in my husbands parents's home along with three grandchildren and the wives of his brothers)so the lack of family activity is noticeable for him.

He has full access to call, email, skype and facebook family: but he posted on his facebook yesterday how much he is missing everyone and it's very unlike him to share emotions on facebook, so I'm freaked out a bit.

My oldest son comes over or hangs out with him quite a bit and is really accepting of my husband. But we live in a very country setting with no public transportation, no Muslim or Pakistani culture and I think it's hard for him to have no social life.

Has anyone had experience with this AFTER they've come over? I see a lot of preparation posts here, but nothing from those who have their husbands in the US.

Thanks!

Bella
BellaChele68FemalePakistan2010-08-01 09:11:00
Middle East and North AfricaTranslating Documents for DMV

I'm not sure about where you could get a certified translation. You might try looking on google for your city.

However if that doesn't work out, is there any chance that you could just do the test, get the permit and do the drivers test and get a new license? If you did that, they would not require any translated drivers license from Iran. In most states you have to wait one week after getting the temporary drivers license to take the driving test. But it could save you some time and money?


if I do that I'll have to wait at least 30 days with a learners permit and then go for the road test. I really don't want to wait...
BralahehNot TellingCanada2010-12-29 22:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaTranslating Documents for DMV

Moving this to the MENA forum the members that frequent that forum may have a better answer.



Thanks, I did just that. : )
BralahehNot TellingCanada2010-12-29 17:34:00
Middle East and North AfricaTranslating Documents for DMV
Hello Everyone,

my husband and I got my green card and social a while ago now I'm wanting to get my driver's license. The DMV people told me I have to have my Iranian driver's license translated (certified and notarized) from Farsi to English and I'm wondering if you guys know of any places that would do this for me and won't charge a whole lot. (my other documents that I needed to have translated for the USCIS where done in my home country Iran so there was no problem there)

(I don't know if I should be posting this here or not but I could use the help, thanks)

Ellie
BralahehNot TellingCanada2010-12-29 16:21:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresVISA PICK UP

So the hubby and i went together to pick up the visa. We arrived at 7am we were done and in the taxi by 850am i went inside with him with no problems it was very easy...good luck to people with upcoming interviews



CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
Heather RaeFemaleGhana2011-03-06 18:08:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresexpedite for cr-1 interview

It never hurts to try as long as you have a legit excuse.



I tried and a letter from a Nurse and doctor but they denied it right off ..... I'm bipolar and have servere anxiety and a heart condition along with other things and this process makes all of it much worse even get suicidal sometimes and having my husband here would stop alot of that and they denied it............So don't know what else to do looking at another year and honestly with my illnesses not sure how to survive that long just for an interview date...........Thanks to everyone who responded I appreciate the help.
Heather RaeFemaleGhana2011-04-22 18:12:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & Proceduresexpedite for cr-1 interview
Does anyone know of anyone that has successfully expedited their interview for a cr-1 case... I have illnesses and need my husband here we are only waiting on interview to be done all other things have finished I tried to expedite with one letter from a doctor but if I could get a few letters from doctors I wonder if that would make a difference. 'Anyone know the circumstances that has to be made clear to actually get and interview expeditied. ? All information I can obtain on anyone who has sucessfully expedited their interview process would be helpful.. Thanks so much....
Heather RaeFemaleGhana2011-04-18 20:38:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarch 2010 CR1 filers
I'm 39 and MY husband is 24..........
Heather RaeFemaleGhana2010-06-10 19:40:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresMarch 2010 CR1 filers
Hi I'm mailing in my forms this week......Filing the I-130 for my husband in Ghana...... So nervous and scared haven't heard alot of good things about the Embassy there.. Just praying and hoping it all goes as quick as possible and always in our favor.....Needing all the support and friends I can get....

Rae


Hey everybody,

my husband and I have been getting ready to file and we are sending in the papers this week! :dance:

We wonder how many other people are filinf at the same time and thought it would be fun to take the visa journey together online.

Mr&MrsK


Heather RaeFemaleGhana2010-03-21 22:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresFROM GHANA TO U.S. ONE-WAY OR ROUND-TRIP?

good luck with finidng a flight, visa etc, for some odd reason return tickets are wayyy more cheaper than single tickets, so its best to always buy a single when traveling to the usa, the cbp dont really care if u have a visa what ticket you got if they ever did ask, im sure the true answer of ''well its cheaper'' would be sufficent enough



i have always traveled Delta to Ghana and have been in skymiles program racking up those miles...I talk to them today and the lady told me it takes about 80000 skymiles for my huband to travel one way to where we live so don't forget if you got any skymiles it can save you money also......Hope this helps We have interview in Oct 2011 and I'm praying it is only going to take the one trip....We have sent in everything and been married almost 2 years and we have even more evidence to provide. So I'M SPEAKING WITH CONFINDENCE IN THE LORD HE WILL RETURN HOME WITH ME THIS TIME!!! GOD BLESS
Heather RaeFemaleGhana2011-09-03 22:13:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresAffidavit of support

I saw in the past threads that IRS Tax Transcript is a requirement at Ghana. If you have submitted those, you should be fine. However we all take copies of I-130, I-864, DS-230 & DS-3032 may be just to give us confidence and in some case they help when some document is missed between NVC and Consulate (Don't ask me how but they happened). Of course you need to take the evidence of continuing relationship - photos, financila inter-mixing, random email/ skype.....



You will need to have tax transcripts for current year when interview comes especially for Ghana... I'm taking 4 years tax transcripts I interview in Ghana next week with my husband...You can never have enough evidence...
Heather RaeFemaleGhana2011-10-17 19:14:00
IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Visa Process & ProceduresWhat to bring to interview
My husband I just went through this even though we are CR1 take alot of pictures of you and him and family and friends ,,, letters written back and forth...chats....email records, phone records for him and you and just be prepared to just hand them over the embassy there isn't very helpful if you don't have your records in had ready to give them and they are in a folder they consider you not ready and will tell you to sit down without any other insturctions and then call you againl later...I was present at my husbands first interview it did not make any difference..... he had to go back for a second time anyway....but after the second time when he was alone and took in what they asked for he was approved.....but then the pick up date is like a month after the approval.... I hope this information helps you....



For IR-1/CR-1 Visa ,Let your husband go with the copies of documents you submitted for the petition.having enough evidence with is better than lacking them at the time of the interview.
Go with as much as you can lay your hands on.
Best of luck


Heather RaeFemaleGhana2011-12-28 03:06:00
Middle East and North AfricaINTERVIEW DATE
Good Luck to you!! cool.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-07-06 23:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaMy Husband's Father was Deported Yesterday
How terrible!!! TG They at least are at home safe now. I am sorry this happened to your family. rose.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-07-10 21:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhy do VJ MENA members fight so much with each other?
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jul 18 2008, 02:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Jul 18 2008, 02:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jul 18 2008, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm hoping my new avatar will prevent uprisings like this in the future!


Good luck with that whistling.gif



I detect a hint of insubordination in that whistling.gif

Shape up or ship out!


That was a totally innocent whistling.gif Abuse of power Attached File  Surrender.jpg   9.46KB   8 downloads
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-07-18 13:52:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhy do VJ MENA members fight so much with each other?
QUOTE (Jenn! @ Jul 18 2008, 02:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm hoping my new avatar will prevent uprisings like this in the future!


Good luck with that whistling.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-07-18 13:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaWhy do VJ MENA members fight so much with each other?
QUOTE (2ond journey @ Jul 17 2008, 08:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (zqt3344 @ Jul 17 2008, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Why do MENA VJ members argue and fight so much with each other all the time? Why can't we all get along. I come in peace. innocent.gif whistling.gif




OMG this SO describs some of the VJ threads!! rofl.gif rofl.gif All in good fun (mostly).
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-07-17 21:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaFriday's Here!!!
TGIF everybody good.gif

Edited by Brad and Vika, 25 July 2008 - 07:22 AM.

Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-07-25 07:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaTrying to focus on me and not others now
It's all good. Layover or no, you are seeing each other soon. It is (for a time) all down hill from here! No worries!
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-08-02 20:08:00
Middle East and North AfricaWHAT AFTER YOUR FIANCE'S ARRIVAL ?
QUOTE (very nice @ Aug 4 2008, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hi VJ's,

its pretty late here in Morocco ,but i still wanted to come do this post here ,we have contacted our Senator and he made actions very quick and he sent an email to my Michelle "Fiancee" telling her that our AP will take another week and he seemed confident that security checks will be cleared in that time frame DOS gave him .So now we are trying to talk about what after my arrival ,first of all its the wedding day and stuff we will get married like every american couple would do there ,but my question is DO WE NEED TO GET MARRIED IN MOSQUE AS WELL if yes why and is it necessary ,and after getting married i think we still have some more work to do with me and adjusting my status etc i would like to hear from people have been thru the same thing ,i also would like to do what would be my ID in states i am thinking first thing would be "passport",its the only thing i can use to get married and eveyrthing ,i also heared tha some people need to do something at airport "immigration" do i have to ask for work permit there and i have heared some one here have been adviced he should ask for his visa's number or something like this i am not sure ,i also have heared that on the plane i am not supposed to have heavy luggage its limited i guess,I have a laptop and mybe a backpack i would like to have with me on the plane and 2 bags ,i am also planning on taking some pistachious lil bags with me and candies is this ok to have with you,so my post is all about what ur so did after arrival and what was the arrangements etc ,thanks in advance .

Ahmed and Michelle .


We're a bit behind you in the process, but I wanted to say congratulations.
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-08-04 21:37:00
Middle East and North Africaplz help
Welcome to America, by the way!!! good.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-08-21 23:07:00
Middle East and North AfricaIm sooo flattered
Some of the stuff on here - Yikes!! Do NOT stop posting those pics. If you don't like 'em, don't look at 'em.
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-09-18 21:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's that time again!
QUOTE (brnidokiegurl @ Oct 14 2008, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
i didnt get the email but i had forgot to ck the status page and it was APPROVED now jackie where are my men i been waiting for yes the part is in the chat room see everyone there


Sweeeeeet!!!!
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-10-14 19:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaIt's that time again!
Am I too late for the fun (whatever that is at a MENA slumber shindig)?
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-10-14 19:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaIs the romance gone?
QUOTE (Staashi @ Nov 14 2008, 07:22 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Nov 14 2008, 12:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks ladies - you gave me a few great laughs (and some serious stuff too) with this. Honestly, we (men) really are trainable laughing.gif Just help us adapt culturally - with kindness and love. star_smile.gif Women are wonderful, complex creatures, and men have an unbelievably tough time figuring out what our women need sometimes.

After my Viktoria moved back to Ukraine, I spent a pretty awesome week with her in her hometown. Towards the end of the week she said that we needed to talk about something important. Alarm bells were going off in my thick male head. She asked me why, after we had spent almost a week together, that I had never once brought flowers. She patiently explained how important this gesture was for Ukrainian women (she used the term Slavic women), and I promptly created some barely believable excuse that she ignored completely. The real problem is that my Russian wasn't up to ordering flowers.

Within 15 minutes walk of my apartment, there was about a half mile of flower vendors near Ushakova St. It is a beautiful sight, and I come back every time kicking myself for not taking pictures. I thought "OK - these folks want to sell me flowers, and I want to buy them. We can probably work this out!" Sure enough, after a few minutes of VERY slow/often repeated Russian I had a decent looking bunch of flowers. To this day I think Vika likes flowers more than almost any other gift.

My point of course is that she had to teach me what she needed. No way would I have thought that a few flowers would make her so happy. No matter if it is a flower, card, or slingin' a mop - tell us what you need. We want you to be happy, but we are men, and that means we are just not hard-wired to figure it out on our own.
Take Care


Brad, that is so true. Thank you for your honesty. I also tell my husband, "tell me what you need. I am not a mind reader." Sometimes, I think he gets the point.


Men and women both do this laughing.gif We assume that our wants and needs are so obvious that they cannot be missed or misunderstood. I believe that men are far less intuitive generally (at least I am), so all we can do is ask questions and try different things - to see what our woman really likes. But sometimes you have to tell us directly!


QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Nov 14 2008, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for your male perspective Brad!


My pleasure - if any of my goofy insight is helpful.

QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Nov 14 2008, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Nov 14 2008, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for your male perspective Brad!


I was going to say the same thing..you beat me to the punch! Thanks Brad!!! good.gif


wink.gif

QUOTE (Zee Bee @ Nov 14 2008, 09:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Brad and Vika @ Nov 14 2008, 12:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
My point of course is that she had to teach me what she needed. No way would I have thought that a few flowers would make her so happy. No matter if it is a flower, card, or slingin' a mop - tell us what you need. We want you to be happy, but we are men, and that means we are just not hard-wired to figure it out on our own.

Take Care


This is exactly what my husband tells me. There have been so many times when I have thought that if I hint at something he'll figure it out...no0pb.gif

Apparently my husband needs me to spell it out for him laughing.gif


The part I struggle with at times is taking the periodic "review of Brad's behavior" in the spirit in which it was intended. Sometimes I don't understand the difference between being criticized and being helped to understand her needs.

QUOTE (amal @ Nov 14 2008, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Nov 14 2008, 07:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Nov 14 2008, 07:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thank you for your male perspective Brad!



I was going to say the same thing..you beat me to the punch! Thanks Brad!!! good.gif



good post brad! it is always good to get a man's perspective on these issues good.gif


It sounds like we all agree good.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-11-16 01:29:00
Middle East and North AfricaIs the romance gone?
Thanks ladies - you gave me a few great laughs (and some serious stuff too) with this. Honestly, we (men) really are trainable laughing.gif Just help us adapt culturally - with kindness and love. star_smile.gif Women are wonderful, complex creatures, and men have an unbelievably tough time figuring out what our women need sometimes.

After my Viktoria moved back to Ukraine, I spent a pretty awesome week with her in her hometown. Towards the end of the week she said that we needed to talk about something important. Alarm bells were going off in my thick male head. She asked me why, after we had spent almost a week together, that I had never once brought flowers. She patiently explained how important this gesture was for Ukrainian women (she used the term Slavic women), and I promptly created some barely believable excuse that she ignored completely. The real problem is that my Russian wasn't up to ordering flowers.

Within 15 minutes walk of my apartment, there was about a half mile of flower vendors near Ushakova St. It is a beautiful sight, and I come back every time kicking myself for not taking pictures. I thought "OK - these folks want to sell me flowers, and I want to buy them. We can probably work this out!" Sure enough, after a few minutes of VERY slow/often repeated Russian I had a decent looking bunch of flowers. To this day I think Vika likes flowers more than almost any other gift.

My point of course is that she had to teach me what she needed. No way would I have thought that a few flowers would make her so happy. No matter if it is a flower, card, or slingin' a mop - tell us what you need. We want you to be happy, but we are men, and that means we are just not hard-wired to figure it out on our own.

Take Care
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-11-14 00:21:00
Middle East and North Africabeen having a long time on line affair in MENA
QUOTE (Olivia* @ Sep 10 2008, 10:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I find since I've grown shyer and gone away to colllege that I talk to my real freinds less as I am having less in common with them now days with things to discuss. I maybe have one real old time friend that I call daily. Most my friends don't discuss theologically things, or news things, or political things with me, or be real supportive of my marriage. I lost a lot of friends over there. We've reach our bounds and comfort zones with each other.

VJ offers a wide array of people to discuss things with including immigration and regional related spouse things that I have no one else who I can talk with about that except for here. There is 1-2 mena married couple where I live but my spouse isn't here for us to do stuff with them yet so we don't talk either.

I think part of VJ's purpose has been made for those waiting for their loved ones.

That trend tends to be when the SO gets here members either disappear all together or check in from time to time because the bonds they have here are so compelling. Some take breaks for a few weeks, some a few months popping back in to give up dates and to check up dates, some take a break for a year and come back after awhile because they forgot how much they missed it and the friendships they have here. Just like most of us met our spouses online so too have we found a community of online friends. This is such and amazing and unique world and time that we are living in today when we can send text msgs to our loved ones in a instant around the globe. heart.gif


Preach on sister O!! I learned that lesson in the military at 17, many years ago. Out of sight, out of mind, literally. Here is the key; you change, they don't! No matter if it is your SO, college, or something else, you will find them doing the same old things in the same old places, day after day. They will not understand you, but don't worry. You just grow up faster than they do. So save your rolodex. You may want to call some of them some day.
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-09-10 21:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaIts Turkey Day!
QUOTE (just_Jackie @ Nov 27 2008, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Cannot believe it is only 3 days. (it was 63 when we learned the interview date so I totally apoligize for this longgg azz countdown!)

Whatz ya'll doin? I'm drinking coffee with my toes by the space-heater.


Don't apologize for anything Jackie! countdown is what it is. Happy turkey day!!
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-11-27 21:13:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!!
QUOTE (star_dragon @ Nov 27 2008, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Rosalinda @ Nov 27 2008, 08:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (star_dragon @ Nov 27 2008, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Food coma................

tongue.gif just woke up from my "i ate too much and need a nap" nap lol biggrin.gif


I haven't been able to get a nap in...don't wanna be rude to the guests here wacko.gif



Soldier through!!
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-11-27 21:20:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!!
QUOTE (Rosalinda @ Nov 27 2008, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (star_dragon @ Nov 27 2008, 08:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Food coma................

tongue.gif just woke up from my "i ate too much and need a nap" nap lol biggrin.gif


Tryptophan does that laughing.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-11-27 21:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!!!!!
A happy and blessed turkey day to all!! And may your visa journey be swift and easy yes.gif

Edited by Brad and Vika, 27 November 2008 - 09:01 PM.

Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-11-27 21:00:00
Middle East and North AfricaHappy Friday!!!
TGIF!!! star_smile.gif

TGIF!!! star_smile.gif
Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-12-05 08:07:00
Middle East and North Africafeelings about revenge and deportation when things dont work out
QUOTE (Nawal @ Dec 12 2008, 08:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (humpkinpumpkin @ Dec 12 2008, 05:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I know this has nothing at all to do with the subject of this thread but I have to say the most important and rewarding thing that I did once my divorce was final was to take time to get to know me. I got to know what makes me tick and what makes me happy. I spent about 9 to 10 years getting to know Bridget and feeling comfortable to be by myself. I confess that before that I lived for my ex husband. He was my identity and I couldn't be happy when he was away, which was a LOT.

I went from being very uncomfortable being alone and needing to have tons of freinds around me and needing to be anywhere but my house when the kids were with him,...to WANTING to be by myself alone. I had control of the clicker, I had control over what movies I watched. I could lay around like a lazy slob in my pj's all day not caring what I looked like or I could dress up and feel confident about myself because I was pleasing...ME!

I can't stress enough how important that time was. Now I have a very loving husband and I have had to tell myself every day for a while that a bomb is not going to drop and everything is not going to just fade and melt away. That being said, if God forbid anything were to happen to my marriage now, I know I'll survive, no questions ask. I won't put up with bs. I have no NEED for a man in my life but I love how his presence, love and companionship enhances my life. It enhances it, not makes it, if that makes sense.

It was very hard at first and like I said I spent many nights up late talking to friends, going out till all hours because I couldn't stand alone but it paid off bigtime. I am happy with me and because of that I have a lot more to offer anyone whether it be a girlfriend, my husband, my family, my kids. I hope to God that part of me has rubbed off on my girls.


Well said and beautiful Bridget! rose.gif


good.gif Nicely said Bridget! I am sure the girls are chips off the 'ole block.

Edited by Brad and Vika, 12 December 2008 - 11:10 PM.

Brad and VikaMaleUkraine2008-12-12 23:10:00