I just wanted to tell everybody that Ayman received his visa this morning!! Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I got a text around 345 am my time that it was delivered to him. His visa was issued March 27th and it took about 2 weeks to get it mailed and then another two days to receive it. Tonight we will sit down and figure out flights together for this week. We are still trying to figure out what to do with the one way or round trip since there are so many people that have done both. I want to warn everybody though that neither one of us received an email from DHL even though we signed up for it. We just kept track of it ourselves.

I am so excited, shocked, thankful, blessed and whatever you name it. Its been a stressful 10 months for us and going through the pregnancy and birth of our son by myself. I am just so thankful that now he has the opportunity to be a father to him in person and a wonderful father he will be, I'm pretty sure of this

Thank you Visajourney friends for the support you have shown us along this journey so far. Without the guidance of this website we would still be trying to figure out how to fill out what and send where. I have met some wonderful people on her that have really supported us. Cheryl from Cheryl and Ahmed took me under her wing and was there to help me when I had no clue what to do next. Melinda and Mohammed, what can I say, you have helped both Ayman and I myself so much with your friendship and being able to relate to one another. I think you Melinda personally for all of those talks that got me through having my son and not crying myself to sleep at night but being able to go to bed with a smile. Mohammed, you are a great man and I am so thankful Ayman has made friends with you. You helped him keep his hope up and know that one day he will hold his baby boy. Bridget, Nagi, Sara, Lynn, Faith, Water, JP, Jenn, Jackie, Amal, Ayesha, Charles, Olivia, Kara, AJI, Wahrania, Tracy, Sparrow all of you plus anybody I have missed (its not on purpose, its called no sleep, forgive me )have one way or another touched my life with your story of inspirations and humor. I look forward to completing this journey through immigration and keeping in touch with all of you. May God bless us all and bring our loved ones safely home to us.

Tasha

Tasha,
Congratulations!!! Im soo happy for you.

Let me share a few things that we found:

1. Having my SO travel was stressful on us both. One thing we did was I bought a sim card (cingular go phone) and he was able to use it in his unlocked phone. (I fed ex'ed it to him). He was able to call me as soon as he landed, call his mom to let her know he was ok and call me as soon as he was out of immigration. We found it invaluable that we knew we could call each other once he landed. Made him feel better to know I was just on the other end if he felt lost.

2. If you dont have a bidet...baby wipes (wet them down more). We found the "paper" here to harsh on him.

3. Be prepared for lots of phone calls home.

4. If he is under 30, dont forget the military permission (we got ours same day)

5. JFK took 15 minutes to get through immigration, he was welcomed and found them polite and pleasant. Nothing to worry about..no one was in immigration that day.

6. Call the airline directly to find out their policy on one way tickets on K1. Each airline has different policy according to Cairo Airport.

7. If he has a transfer, dont forget to find out if he needs transit visa to continue on flights

8. Remind him to travel with his passport close by and pen. He will need it on flight for I94 and customs forms.

9. If he's never flown before, we found it helpful for me to explain the process and sounds he would hear. Keeps the nerves down a bit when those bumping sounds occur and that turbulance doesn't mean you are crashing.

10. I drew a map and found pics of the immigration area of JFK He said it made it soo easy to get around...he felt he had already been there...was familar to him this way.

11. We are now considering a vonage phone line for his parents. Just sent them the phone equipment. IF they have dsl, they just hook up to it. If you use vonage and they do to...all calls are free. May run you 50-75 dollars a month to do this...but it's saving us around $250. Well worth it.

12. My SO was shocked at our road rules...couldnt understand why I stopped at red light even with no traffic...I'd explain a bit about this...and what he may see when he first comes...

13. Social Security cards only need his passport and I94 to apply for...HOWEVER...we were told it takes about 10 days for their names to update from homeland security. Therefore, they recommend waiting a minimum of 10 days to apply for the SS card. (we just got lucky and filed on the 10th day...it could be ok to do so a few days before, but was recommended to wait at least the 10 days to be sure).

14. I found small things for him to be responsible for as soon as he got here: taking out trash, showing him how to do laundry, cleaning out the car, and other small things for him to feel he is contributing.

15. Expect the first week for him to be exhausted. The change and jet lag really got to mine.

Over all our transition has been smooth. We have no adjustments to each other (but after 4 years together...we knew each other very well). The biggest adjustment has been just missing Egypt and home. Overall, he's adjusting to the american life and ways.

I wish you luck and much happiness together...may God bless you as you reunite with your love...

Faith

Congratulations

Thanks to both of you! Faith, thank you for the invaluable information. I am not sure if we have time to fed ex the phone card but I thought about sharing my AT&T calling card with him so he could call from at least a payphone if he could find one. As far as things to do...well my maternity leave is over in 2.5 weeks and he will definatley have his hands busy with Malek! I will share all of this valuable information with him. Thanks again!

Congrats to you both.

Congrats!

Tasha I am so happy for you. I am so gald Ayman will be able to see Malek soon. I am sure he is soooooooo excited to see his son. I have tears running down my face I am so excited and happy for you. Keep me posted about when he will arrive and stay in touch.

Cheryl

Bless God! Another visa from Cairo and another prayer answered!

CONGRATULATIONS, T AND A !! I'm soooo very happy to read your post! Bleh, more happy tears again for me. Im wishing you both all the best!

Much Congratulations!

congratulations

congratulations
have a happy new life with your love

Congrats!

congratulation Tasha and ayman so happy for you guy
you and ayman are wonderful friends Allah bless you with happy life inshaAllah
thanks Fiath for your information you always great friend very helpful
good morning nagi hope u have great day
chyrel and ahmed soon inshaAllah u will get yours
estadia sarra inshaAllah you will get your NO2 soon
have great day Mena

congrats!!!!

Congrats Tasha, safe flight..

Congratulations Tasha!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Congratulations!!!

Tasha we are so happy for you and Ayman and baby Malek! I am so glad we have become wonderful friends .You have also helped me so much.We have stayed up late at night talking about our wonderful Egyptian men and our babies and other children. Im also so glad Mohamed has met Ayman we cant wait to met u when both of them get here soon Tasha they will be here!

I pray for everyone one that they will get there visa very soon.Especially the ones that has been waiting for along time. InshaAllah!!!

Congratulaions!! I am soooooooooooo happy for you both!! (and that sweet little baby of yours!!)
Laura

Awesome Fantabulous SuperCaliFragilisticExpialodocious!!!

Congrats! I know the feeling .

Congratulations

Congrats and goodluck to you with the rest of your journey.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Yippeeeeee!!!
This is great!!
I bet you are so excited because so much stuff is going to happen now.....
2 weeks from issuance and you have the visa!!!
That is AWESOME!!
Keep us up to date on the flight plans.....

Congradulations!!! That is awesome!

CONGRATS

C.O.N.G.R.A.T.U.L.A.T.I.O.N.S
Really so happy for both of you , InshaAllah you will have a very happy life together , Hope me and Lynn Getting our Visa soon too inshaAllah .. wish everyone the best ...

Congratulations!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Thanks everybody! We had a slight delay in getting him here but hopes are that he will arrive April 24th. He is arranging his ticket today. Thanks again for all of your support!

Congratulations!!!

wow Tasha I dont know how I missed this thread but CONGRATULATIONS! fantastic news ! What a great reunion it will be for you and also for Ayman to meet his baby boy. April 24th isnt too far although it probably feels like a long time. Take care!

Congratulations!!!!! Best wishes to both of you!

SO KEWL!!! WOO HOO!! CONGRATS!!

Awwwww a huge congrats to you and Ayman! I'm so happy for you, Tasha!