Jeremy got his green card today!!!

It's official! Jeremy received his green card today:D We are so happy. It was hell going through all that in order to get it. We were so afraid, due to our large age-gap, etc. We were afraid that the immigration officers wouldn't believe we married just for love. But......they did! When we had our last interview, the officer could tell that we are really in love!

Jeremy's parents called this morning from France and told us that they are going to pay for both of us to fly to France!! Yippee!!!! We're so happy. We just have to wait until next spring to go because we need to make a lot of arrangements for my mother to be taken care of during that time. She's going to flip out when we tell her that we're taking off again (we just got back from Florida a few weeks ago). Oh well, c'est la vie!

Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you both. I am so looking forward to that day when Remi will receive his, too.

Thanks, Katrina. I'm looking forward to the day that Remi receives his, too. I am hoping that Jeremy's approval for permanent residency will give some of the rest of you hope. I was truly worried sick that Jeremy might not get it due to the fact that not only is there a gap of 26 years between us, but I am the older partner. I was afraid that it would just not be as easily accepted as an om/yw age-gap marriage would be. It was scary, but the rest of you can have hope. It's really true that if you marry for love, it will be obvious to others. I'm so excited....not only for us, but for the rest of you who are facing the same challenge.

Btw, thank you, again, to all of you who wrote those wonderful letters attesting to the validity of our relationship. We handed them over to the immigration officer when we went for our first interview. She read them and the second officer read them during our second interview; he smiled as he read them and as he looked at all our family photos. Be sure to have a lot of photos of the two of you doing things together over a period of time.

happy for you and Jeremy !! Such good news. :D

whisper, jeremy!!! congratulations!!!!

how long was the process to completion from the original change of status date? 2 interviews??

While finishing packing (I leave in four hours):

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

YAY for Mel and Jeremy!!!! YAY for Mel and Jeremy!!!! :D :D

Congratulations Melodee and Jeremy!

:D

Congratulations. It took us two years for my YM to get his permanent residency here in Australia. As with you we had interviews and they could see our relationship was genuine. SO SO pleased for you. May you have many many happy years together...

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Congratulations you two!!

Originally posted by christina923
whisper, jeremy!!! congratulations!!!!

how long was the process to completion from the original change of status date? 2 interviews?? Thank you. The entire process took 2 years and 8 months from the time we first applied. We moved from the San Francisco Bay area to Phoenix in the middle of it all and that delayed things for us. It would have only taken about a year had we stayed in the Bay area.

Jeremy is sitting next to me and we both want to thank you all:)

You two look so great together. What a gorgeous couple. BTW : who is the older? :)

Originally posted by Pat Morgan
You two look so great together. What a gorgeous couple. BTW : who is the older? :) OMG! You made *my* day, lol:D Thank you!

Melodee, firstly, I'd like to congratulate you two on the wonderful news, and many happy years together! :)

Secondly, I have to echo Pat...who's the older??? LOL Cheez and crackers, you guys look like the same age! I'm sure that doesn't matter to Jeremy anyway, but geez Louise, it sure doesn't hurt!

May you two enjoy the blessing of eachother's love all of your lives. :)

You guys are great. Thank you for the nice things you wrote. Jeremy is definately the older one, lol;)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

II'S ABOUT TIME!

We know that you two are celebrating like crazy tonight. You have a lot to be thankful for. Enjoy your trip to France, you two deserve all the wonderful things life can bring.

(((HUG)))
Jane & Dave

Iam so happy for you both!! my god!!! you guys sure need an angel on yor shoulder! i met you both and love you both , you guys so rock!!! I am so happy that that pain of finally getting together and making it solid is over with...YAY~

Thanks Jane, Trish and Yvette:D Having such wonderful friends at Agelesslove has kept me sane through all of this.

We're going to go through something that many of you have already gone through which we haven't yet experienced. When we go to France, I will be meeting Jeremy's friends and extended family for the first time. He was vice president of a chess club and wants me to meet everyone there. I am already getting nervous about meeting all of these people. I didn't feel uncomfortable introducing Jeremy to my friends here, but I feel really nervous about meeting all of his friends (due to our large age gap). Can any of you who are in a large age gap relationship tell me what it was like meeting your ym's friends for the first time? This will really be a new experience for me.

hi, There is an age difference of 14 years between Dave and I. I am 50 he is 36. Dave was real good about it. He made the journey easier for me. As he introduced me he held on to me, and quite often kissed me on the cheek. He said "this beautiful woman is going to be my wife" When they all saw how much in love we were it no longer mattered to them. He is the one that made it easy. Privately aside later I would chat to his friends as if there was no issue, and there isnt. Guess I am so much in love it really did not matter but I know you want to make a good impression. Believe me with your looks the battle is already won. Youre happy together and it shows ....now show them!. Good luck, but you wont need it. They will be aware of the age thing by now, its all just icing on the cake for Jeremy. he must be so proud.

Thanks, Pat. Actually, many of his friends, chess buddies, etc. have no idea that I am older than Jeremy. Jeremy had just told them that he was very much in love with me. He said that he never thought there was any need to bring up the subject of an age gap because he, himself, doesn't notice any gap. I guess I'm just concerned that when they meet me, they'll be shocked. I know that people often tell me that I don't look anywhere near my age, but I also don't look like I'm anywhere *near* Jeremy's age. Our age gap *never* bothers me, so I'm kind of surprised that the thought of meeting *his* friends is bothering me. I didn't expect to be so nervous about it.

Whisper....what wonderful news!!! Thanks for posting for all the others who are so anxiously awaiting theirs too:) I DO think a celebration is in order! Cheers for BOTH of you....hugs, Darla

Melodee, the only advise I can give you is to be yourself. Jeremy chose you above all others, so look into the mirror and remind yourself of that any time you have doubts. You are a beautiful, loving woman with a heart bigger than your body...so why *wouldn't* he have chosen you? Ok, now you are ready to face anyone because you have no doubts as to his love or why he loves you. ;)

On my second visit to Ohio I met Dave's best friend and his wife -- who hated Dave. Howard is a sweet friendly man who I bonded with instantly. I smiled as his wife checked me out and dismissed me. She was cold and rude, her opinion meant nothing to be, so I harassed her a little by being overly friendly. About 6 months after that Howard divorced her because he was smart enough not to want to spend the rest of his life with a b**ch. He was our Best Man and is remarried to a lovely lady who likes Dave and I.

On our honeymoon we swung by the gaming store where Dave used to RPG with a gang of folks. Howard was there and he set up a game so we could all play together. I met about 15 YM and spent the evening playing a role-playing card game. I was nervous but Dave kissed me in the parking lot and reminded me that he married me and thought I was perfect, so they would think I was perfect too. I doubted that, but I didn't doubt that I'm a fun person to be around, so I put on a smile and went in. It went just fine and I let myself relax and STOP feeling older. I was just one of the gang for the evening. If anyone had a problem they certainly didn't show it then, or talk to Howard about it later.

I've found the best defense is a good offense. Look your best, smile and be personable. Find a way to be nice by doing something kind or giving compliments and people soon relax around you.

Dave and I go to the same Physical Therapist. He was on vacation this week and we had a new guy. He seemed too interested in Dave's birthday, perhaps because they share the day, but not the date. I mentioned it and he said, "But I was born first." I laughed and said, "So was I, but that's life." I then said how lucky I was to have Dave in my life. That opened the conversation and we talked about how Dave and I met and some of his health problems. As we talked, I saw him relax and stop questioning our relationship. I'll be glad when Rob is back from vacation though. He thinks its cool. He is shorter than his wife, which really bothers his wife, but he told her about us and she said if we can be so different and not have it matter maybe being taller isn't all that bad. LOL

Just laugh, relax as much as you can and be yourself. Some will like you, some will not and some will even take away a new understanding about what makes a good relationship. You can't ask for more than that.

(((HUG)))
Jane

Thanks Darla and Jane. Jane, that was an amazing story you told about Dave's best friend. Wow. I'm sure that I'll do fine once I'm in the situation. I thought it was kind of strange that I don't have any hang ups about the age difference *but* was suddenly worried about what Jeremy's friends might think about it. Thanks again for the nice posts.

Originally posted by MrsHedgeHog
[b]
Yippee!! Hooray! Tim and I are over the moon, hearing this news for you two -- now you can travel to France!!!!!!!!
b] Yep. We're going to France next spring. If I didn't have to worry about what to do with my mom right now, Jeremy and I would be taking a little trip to Mexico to celebrate.....or to Victoria Island in Canada. I've always wanted to go there. We'll have to wait until next spring to go anywhere. We're just so excited; he hasn't been able to leave the country for over 3 1/2 years......we want to try it out!

Congrats! That's wonderful news!

I am so very happy for you and Jeremy.

You've had your share of hard times and things seem to be turning your way. Good things can and do come to those who wait.

Phil and I wish you all the happiness in the world and now you have the freedom to travel around and find it!

Terrific news, girl. Thanks for sharing.

I am almost in tears, I am so happy for you!
Good things happen to good people.
Hugzz to your family, your mom, you son with adhd and to all of you.
~Tammy

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Oh, wow, that is such good news. A lot of us went through the whole process with you, so we know how happy you must be. How could you fail with all of Ageless supporting you!

Originally posted by Patricia

How could you fail with all of Ageless supporting you! Isn't *that* the truth?!!

Thanks again, everyone:D

Melodee and Jeremy, I am so very happy for you both!! I do know what this means to you.

And Please don't worry about your mom too much!!! Really there are so many agencies that can help while you are away. The ladies that come in weekly for her should spend more time with her gradually without you!. And if you need me to look up anything else for you, Just let me know. I am getting ready to go to Newfoundland the 12th. And yes, I will be seeing my former YM and his gf. I am hoping they will have me to stay with them for a few nights while i visit other friends there. They have 4 bedrooms and no one else staying with them. But I will be home by Sept 1, and I will be happy to help you in finding resources for your mom.

Anyway!! Much happiness to you... And don't Worry!!.

Hugs

Thanks Silver. You have been a big help with all that info. you've sent:)

Dragonfly, thanks. I'm glad to see you on the boards again:)

it's true mel...it's very hard to tell who's older...you two looks great together :)

Thanks, Nightingale.:)

Originally posted by Pat Morgan
You two look so great together. What a gorgeous couple. BTW : who is the older? :)

Seriously I was thinking the same thing

Sara, you all are making me feel so good with your posts. Thank you. I really needed it......I was feeling old yesterday and today because I threw my back out digging holes in soft soil yesterday in order to plant some flowers. It kind of freaked me out that I could hurt my back just by digging with a shovel in *soft soil*! I'm hoping that it was a combination of the digging and the weight lifting yesterday morning. I hope that I'm not in such bad shape that I hurt my back just by digging in soft dirt. :eek: Anyway, the nice posts made me feel better;)

Melodee, I threw my back out when i was 35 years old, by just reaching across my desk and pushing a button on my telephone. I was working for Coca Cola and had a 12 line phone. It came on quickly and I couldn't straighten up. I spent a week on my back with muscle relaxers and pain pills. So don't play down what digging in soft soil could do, or weight training for that matter. Any movement just a tad off can really mess you up for a while. Age has nothing to do with it.

Originally posted by silverlasha
Melodee, I threw my back out when i was 35 years old, by just reaching across my desk and pushing a button on my telephone. I was working for Coca Cola and had a 12 line phone. It came on quickly and I couldn't straighten up. I spent a week on my back with muscle relaxers and pain pills. So don't play down what digging in soft soil could do, or weight training for that matter. Any movement just a tad off can really mess you up for a while. Age has nothing to do with it.

mel, silverlasha is very right on...things like that can happen to anyone at any age...u would think that such "simple" task should never cause such and such...but not true...i know people have more serious injuries from doing something much less than soft dirt digging :) and nothing to do w/ age either ^_^