Fiancé's interview is on April 03,2007 and I have been more anxious than ever in this whole process, having outright nightmares, anxiety and everything else and praying everything goes fine. I need some tips on how to cope during this extra stressful time for me. Thanks
Bonnie

I can empathize. My fiance's interview is April 2. And I have been a bundle of nerves, too. But this week, Francisco and I have decided not to talk about forms and visas. Francisco and I have promised we are only going to make each other laugh this week! And concentrate on the reason we are doing this--we love each other and want to get married. Just take deep breaths (I have!) and know that you are prepared.

Good luck!
Kathy

good luck to you too

I haven't gotten to the interview part with my fiance yet, but it's only a couple months away.
I could make some suggestions on handling stress in general though.
There are a few basic ideas behind stress reduction.

If appropriate, remove or walk away from the source of stress. This may be a bit dificult since the situation isn't one you want to walk away from. However, dwelling on your anxiety won't get you anywhere. Maybe a few distractions could help, a girls night out, a good book, a movie, a hobby.

Stress takes its toll on you physically and can actually build up in your body. Get some excersize. Go for a jog or long walk everyday. If weather permits, go to the park or on a hike. But it's most effective if you are active everyday for at least 30 minutes to an hour, that's 10 solid days of going out and doing something.

You could do a little self-psychoanalysis of yourself (but this is not nearly as fun as a bubble bath). Ask yourself, what is it that you are so worried about? Is there a particular topic that is troublesome? Do you feel like you (or your fiance) are properly prepared? Maybe you just need to go over things one more time to feel re-assured....this is only if you haven't been going over things incessantly already. If there is no real problem you are worried about then maybe you can work yourself through and reassure yourself that whatever happens (which will probably only be his getting his visa) you will be just fine, and you both will figure it out.

The only other thing I could suggest is talking to people, like you are doing here, or if you have a friend or a sister or someone who would chat with you on the phone.

Waiting in anticipation can be a very painful process, but if you can, try to focus on positive things and imagine a positive outcome. I don't know if positive thoughts have any influence over the final decision, but they certainly can't hurt!

Good Luck, and take some great big deep breaths that make your belly move.
Sue

breathes in breathes out thank you

Your Welcome
Sue

I will soon be in this boat too

I guess the only thing to do is know that you've done everything you can, and wait. Don't go over everything you've sent in your mind over and over - it doesn't help (I did it - I only got nervous!)

Honestly, I was fine up until he went into the embassy and I couldn't talk to him until he was done. That was the worst waiting, because no one but us knew what we were going through, and I couldn't talk to him about it. So I sat in my office with the door closed until he called. Well, I went to the bathroom once, but took the phone in with me! I told him I hoped he wouldn't call while I was in there. He wished he had!!

Good advice: breathe in, breathe out.

It'll be over soon - and remember, you have done EVERYTHING you can, and I'm sure you did it well.

I was so stressed out at my interview I could of powered a WHOLE city.

THinking back though, you really just have to remember why your doing this and also remember that you really are in love and that won't change, and as you are in love, all will go ok!

I did not sleep the night before, couldn't eat and was in a blind panic as I approached the embassy, however once I was in, I made myself calm down by thinking about the last time that I had seen my fiance, and also, thinking about how it will not be long untill you see your beloved again and this time, theres no goodbyes...I calmed down alot and the interview went fine.

Now I even had complications with required documents they needed but it was ok, I was calm after that.

Remember that the interview, while ofcourse being important will go fine aslong as you are truly inlove, even if you don't have something they want you can get it to them and it will be ok.

Good luck guys!

I guess I shouldn't complain about being in the boat when others are trying so hard to climb in.

I'm just hoping there's a bar across the street from the consulate! And that a couple of my fellow VJers will be there with me to share a bottle of wine while we wait!

Why would you wait in a bar when you can attend the interview with her/him?

Because I can't attend the interview with him!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Your advice seems to be the best.My fiance is in Russia, and is rather nervous. She is in her mid 20's and will soon begin to gather the info needed.I told her the same. Be honest, trust in what we have, bt do not give any more info than they ask for.

All the replies and advice actually are helping..NO NIGHTMARE lastnight for the first night since finding out when the appt. was.. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!

Congrats,
I'm glad you got some good sleep, that will help you feel better too.
I hope you find the rest of the wait a little more calm then the past few days.
Enjoy the excitement! you two will be together soon. Smile at the thought of being this far along in the process.
don't forget to call your fiance and tell him you love him.
Sue