I think that waiting for five years to be married was actually a good thing for both of us. We learned everything there was to know about each other, without sex getting in the way.

I think it was good for the relationship. but I would still prefer not to have had to wait!

ALison

Well we're not even done waiting.Couldn't even put the petition in when we wanted to last March because there was a nasty surprise and his divorce has not been finalized yet.Now we have to wait until he's got a new job since he just lost his in May due to the company not having enough work for everybody......We're hoping to put the I 129 F in by November now.
I think it's a little easier for me than it is for him.Especially at this point in time.He's really not doing too well and puts a lot of pressure on me.
BUT: if we can make THIS than we'll last forever.
Nat

I take the view that I can hate it, get depressed etc and wait, or not mind it, and wait..either way I have to WAIT.
There's no getting round the WAIT - so I chose to be ok about it. It's not ideal but then few things in life are, are they? There's really nothing *I* can do to hurry things along; and panicking / getting upset sure won't improve my life much - I'm taking the time to remember all the things about the UK I can - the accents, the sights (I'm near London), the food, tv etc..and tie up as many loose ends as possible.
People are apart all the time as well - spouses of members of the armed forces to name but one group - and they cope mostly. If they can manage it then so can I. It won't BE forever.

After each visit, it got extremely hard, but the wait was worth it!

Since we're still in the process, aren't married, and the poll seems to only be for married people or those who are now together, I didn't vote.

If I go by the old adage, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.", then I guess we were made stronger. But it was very difficult for us having to be apart when we had been able to live together for over a year. It feels like you're going backwards in a way.

IMHO, nothing is better than actually being together...

It made us VERY strong....because all we had in between visits was communication. We HAD to talk and we got to know each other very well. Not that we haven't had some adjusting to do now that he's here....but it's minor.

The wait was hard...the separation was, at times, torture...but I believe the wait was good for us. We took our time...and I think that's what has made it work for us.

Although, I have to agree with Jenn...there IS nothing better than being together.

I dont know

at itmes it hurts it and at times it helps it...make sense? lol

I hardly remember the wait anymore.

.

Same with us -- Jerry is a very impatient man at times -- and this was one of those times! It forced him to slow down and get prepared, and we talked about everything.....so much so that we felt like we had known each other forever. We didn't have to wait as long as some people had and continue to have to wait, but it was long enough!

Although we're together now, the wait made us stronger!

I have to agree with the OP. It's been good to really get to know each other without the sexual stuff getting in the way. We're nowhere near done waiting yet though. But the wait so far has made our relationship deeper and stronger.

We aren't married yet, but I think this whole being apart thing definitely has done and will continue to do us good. It has made our relationship extremely strong. We talk about everything and we have gotten to know eachother a lot better than we probably would have done otherwise! And I know 100% that if we can get through this whole process and still have exactly the same love for eachother that we do now, then we are in it for the long run. I believe that if you can get through something like this then you can get through just about anything.

I agree though that I would much prefer being with him full time though!!!

We are not done with the waiting yet.

The wait is a rollercoaster of emotions because we have no idea when it is going to end. Once we get that interview date the wait will not be that bad. At least I will have something solid to look forqard to instead of the neverending blackhole of USCIS.

But it has made us stronger than either of us thought. We are better able to read each other and be there for each other when times are tough. It has taught us that we have more patience than either of us imagined. And no matter what, we are going to make it through this in one piece

THIS PROCESS IS NOT GOING TO BREAK US!!!