It's done!  I called and scheduled the Event!

(Ticker courtesy of TickerFactory.com)

It seems like forever, but I'll be with him for most of the month of May, so it's not like waiting to see him.

I got a bit of grief at work because I'll be gone for a full month.  I spoke with everyone above me, and wrote a letter of clarification to Human Resources.  As of today, it's finally all cleared and I can leave with a clear conscience.  Whether I go isn't an option.  Whether I come back to a job seemed to be a little shaky for a few days, but it's all set.

My fiance is aware of the date, and fine with it.  We wish it could be sooner, that we could be husband and wife for a bit longer before it's time for me to come back, but this is how it has to be.  Honeymoon plans have to be altered, but that will work itself out, as well.

I've been researching the immigration process, and I think it will be simpler if I file on his behalf from this end.  I've already got the learning curve thing going with these applications.  I hope I'm as thorough as I was with my own visa application!

We will have over three weeks to gather his documents together for the applications, and I have name change forms to pick up and fill out in preparation to submit when I return to the US.  It's all falling together even more quickly than I expected, and I love it!

BB, MedicineDoe

  Oh, MY! 

I was a bundle of nerves this morning waiting for that UPS truck to arrive!  I was online talking with my Love, which was a wonderful diversion, keeping me from pacing the floors or standing out on the sidewalk tapping my foot.

Just about 9AM, I saw it coming down the street!  I typed "BRB" to my Man -- rushed outside in my slippers, no coat.  I had a ridiculous mental image of the UPS truck pausing in front of the house before roaring off on its way, the attempted delivery notice somehow adhering itself to the front door.  He handed my package -- a cardboard envelope mailer -- to me, and I signed the calculator thing (how can they READ that??).  I was already feeling the package -- I could tell my passport was inside, but no matter, as I'm sure I would have gotten it back either way.  It was quite a bit thinner than what I had sent off to them to apply, so my heart rose a bit from its state of despair.

As soon as I got back inside I grabbed the phone and called my fiance, all out of breath.  I opened the package while on the phone with him, like the next best thing to being there.  Either way, he could share the moment, and we could talk about the next step.  I pulled the open tab, and peeked inside.  The sheet protector containing my original documents was there, and my passport.  I grabbed my passport, knowing it would tell the story either way.

I began to turn the pages, and it was like I grew thumbs instead of fingers!  Time seemed to stop, while I tried to make my thumbs (all ten of them) get through that document, looking for THAT DOCUMENT!

There it was, to my complete wonder and awe, on page 11: "UK ENTRY CLEARANCE".  I would argue that I was rendered speechless for an hour or so, but given that I was on the phone with the man of my dreams, I'm sure he, rightfully so, would not agree.    I couldn't stop smiling; I can't now!  We laughed together, proposed to one another a couple more times, and generally enjoyed the sense of a foreseeable end to living three thousand miles apart.  I swear, I floated to work!

Once AT work, the realistic side of things -- the arrangements to be made -- reared their heads, which is fine.  I'd already given thought to all of it.  I had made sure I have enough vacation time to cover the time I need to be away.  There will be coverage for the on-call and weekend responsibilities I have.  I met with the necessary people, let those who need to know, know.  My colleagues are happy for me.  They are wonderful friends, and very tolerant of my "quirks".  While in a meeting with the other on-call nurses at lunchtime, I got online, and though I didn't really intend to so just then, I booked my flight.  I leave in about three weeks, and will marry the Man I love! 

My children will be taken care of while I'm away, thanks to their fathers, and the fact that I can now get along well with both of them [ex-husbands], post-divorce.  I'm truly blessed.

I have much to do to prepare, but I will continue to record my thoughts here, for my own reference, as well as for those who love me and want to keep up.  My thanks to all who come here to keep up.

BB, MedicineDoe