Happy Labor Day Weekend!

[ken and mintra 0]

Just wanted to wish everyone on here a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend. I fly to Bangkok on Friday to get my fiance, Mintra, to bring her back to the USA on September 13th. I remember when I started this process way back in January I thought it would never end and she would never get here. It was definitely a rollercoaster ride. There were even points in time when I was wondering if it was worth it even though I knew I loved her very much. Being apart is difficult and sometimes adjusting to a new culture can be just as or more difficult. When she gets here on September 13th that is the end of the first part of the journey and the beginning of the next one. I'm sure when she gets here and tries to adjust to a culture so different from her own that it will be hard at times, mostly for her. Let the rollercoaster ride begin again. Then there's all the wedding planning which is hard to do when your not even sure that she will like living here. I found out from talking to friends on here and from common sense that 90 days is just not enough time to get to know, plan, and then marry. I think the USCIS should give couples 180 days to marry once they arrive in the USA. Three more months of time together would be a gold mine. I wish everyone who's starting the journey best wishes and believe me, the NOA1's, NOA2's, and Packet's 3 and 4 plus the interview dates will get here. It will seem like forever but when it's over and you have the visa in hand you'll look back and think, "Man, that wasn't so bad and it went faster then I thought." I'm looking forward to introducing Mintra to OUR country and hoping that she will grasp the American dream like my grandparents did when they came here from Germany in the 1940's. I will support her, love her, and do what I can to ensure that she will have a wonderful life in America and at the same time not forgetting where she came from and what her culture means to me and her. I think back to meeting her over a year ago and not even considering the fact that a girl from a small town in Thailand, Lampang, could one day be my wife in America. I'm sure she never thought it was possible either. I hope that the next part of this journey, starting on September 13th, will have the same ups and downs as the first part. I learned to appreciate little victories along the way when everything didn't always go as planned. You really can't enjoy the good times until and unless you had some bad times. And even though there are so many of us on here with so many different stories, cultures, and life experiences we share one vital thing, wanting to be with someone we love from a country other then our own and going through the journey. Happy Holiday and remember, "NOT ALL WHO WONDER ARE LOST!"

[Nagishkaw 510]

A Big Congratulations to you guys, and a Happy Holiday to you, too ! I am wishing you all the best.

[Fandango 1,440]

Just wanted to wish everyone on here a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend. I fly to Bangkok on Friday to get my fiance, Mintra, to bring her back to the USA on September 13th. I remember when I started this process way back in January I thought it would never end and she would never get here. It was definitely a rollercoaster ride. There were even points in time when I was wondering if it was worth it even though I knew I loved her very much. Being apart is difficult and sometimes adjusting to a new culture can be just as or more difficult. When she gets here on September 13th that is the end of the first part of the journey and the beginning of the next one. I'm sure when she gets here and tries to adjust to a culture so different from her own that it will be hard at times, mostly for her. Let the rollercoaster ride begin again. Then there's all the wedding planning which is hard to do when your not even sure that she will like living here. I found out from talking to friends on here and from common sense that 90 days is just not enough time to get to know, plan, and then marry. I think the USCIS should give couples 180 days to marry once they arrive in the USA. Three more months of time together would be a gold mine. I wish everyone who's starting the journey best wishes and believe me, the NOA1's, NOA2's, and Packet's 3 and 4 plus the interview dates will get here. It will seem like forever but when it's over and you have the visa in hand you'll look back and think, "Man, that wasn't so bad and it went faster then I thought." I'm looking forward to introducing Mintra to OUR country and hoping that she will grasp the American dream like my grandparents did when they came here from Germany in the 1940's. I will support her, love her, and do what I can to ensure that she will have a wonderful life in America and at the same time not forgetting where she came from and what her culture means to me and her. I think back to meeting her over a year ago and not even considering the fact that a girl from a small town in Thailand, Lampang, could one day be my wife in America. I'm sure she never thought it was possible either. I hope that the next part of this journey, starting on September 13th, will have the same ups and downs as the first part. I learned to appreciate little victories along the way when everything didn't always go as planned. You really can't enjoy the good times until and unless you had some bad times. And even though there are so many of us on here with so many different stories, cultures, and life experiences we share one vital thing, wanting to be with someone we love from a country other then our own and going through the journey. Happy Holiday and remember, "NOT ALL WHO WONDER ARE LOST!"

Congrats!

but just for clarity of anyone who reads this and might not realize....the K-1 visa is not a 'get to know you' visa...

[Jason-Sasha 1]

Happy Labor Day!!

[ken and mintra 0]

Just wanted to wish everyone on here a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend. I fly to Bangkok on Friday to get my fiance, Mintra, to bring her back to the USA on September 13th. I remember when I started this process way back in January I thought it would never end and she would never get here. It was definitely a rollercoaster ride. There were even points in time when I was wondering if it was worth it even though I knew I loved her very much. Being apart is difficult and sometimes adjusting to a new culture can be just as or more difficult. When she gets here on September 13th that is the end of the first part of the journey and the beginning of the next one. I'm sure when she gets here and tries to adjust to a culture so different from her own that it will be hard at times, mostly for her. Let the rollercoaster ride begin again. Then there's all the wedding planning which is hard to do when your not even sure that she will like living here. I found out from talking to friends on here and from common sense that 90 days is just not enough time to get to know, plan, and then marry. I think the USCIS should give couples 180 days to marry once they arrive in the USA. Three more months of time together would be a gold mine. I wish everyone who's starting the journey best wishes and believe me, the NOA1's, NOA2's, and Packet's 3 and 4 plus the interview dates will get here. It will seem like forever but when it's over and you have the visa in hand you'll look back and think, "Man, that wasn't so bad and it went faster then I thought." I'm looking forward to introducing Mintra to OUR country and hoping that she will grasp the American dream like my grandparents did when they came here from Germany in the 1940's. I will support her, love her, and do what I can to ensure that she will have a wonderful life in America and at the same time not forgetting where she came from and what her culture means to me and her. I think back to meeting her over a year ago and not even considering the fact that a girl from a small town in Thailand, Lampang, could one day be my wife in America. I'm sure she never thought it was possible either. I hope that the next part of this journey, starting on September 13th, will have the same ups and downs as the first part. I learned to appreciate little victories along the way when everything didn't always go as planned. You really can't enjoy the good times until and unless you had some bad times. And even though there are so many of us on here with so many different stories, cultures, and life experiences we share one vital thing, wanting to be with someone we love from a country other then our own and going through the journey. Happy Holiday and remember, "NOT ALL WHO WONDER ARE LOST!"

Congrats!

but just for clarity of anyone who reads this and might not realize....the K-1 visa is not a 'get to know you' visa...

[Fandango 1,440]

???

_____

Please don't take offense to what I've said...

[ken and mintra 0]

Just wanted to wish everyone on here a safe and happy Labor Day Weekend. I fly to Bangkok on Friday to get my fiance, Mintra, to bring her back to the USA on September 13th. I remember when I started this process way back in January I thought it would never end and she would never get here. It was definitely a rollercoaster ride. There were even points in time when I was wondering if it was worth it even though I knew I loved her very much. Being apart is difficult and sometimes adjusting to a new culture can be just as or more difficult. When she gets here on September 13th that is the end of the first part of the journey and the beginning of the next one. I'm sure when she gets here and tries to adjust to a culture so different from her own that it will be hard at times, mostly for her. Let the rollercoaster ride begin again. Then there's all the wedding planning which is hard to do when your not even sure that she will like living here. I found out from talking to friends on here and from common sense that 90 days is just not enough time to get to know, plan, and then marry. I think the USCIS should give couples 180 days to marry once they arrive in the USA. Three more months of time together would be a gold mine. I wish everyone who's starting the journey best wishes and believe me, the NOA1's, NOA2's, and Packet's 3 and 4 plus the interview dates will get here. It will seem like forever but when it's over and you have the visa in hand you'll look back and think, "Man, that wasn't so bad and it went faster then I thought." I'm looking forward to introducing Mintra to OUR country and hoping that she will grasp the American dream like my grandparents did when they came here from Germany in the 1940's. I will support her, love her, and do what I can to ensure that she will have a wonderful life in America and at the same time not forgetting where she came from and what her culture means to me and her. I think back to meeting her over a year ago and not even considering the fact that a girl from a small town in Thailand, Lampang, could one day be my wife in America. I'm sure she never thought it was possible either. I hope that the next part of this journey, starting on September 13th, will have the same ups and downs as the first part. I learned to appreciate little victories along the way when everything didn't always go as planned. You really can't enjoy the good times until and unless you had some bad times. And even though there are so many of us on here with so many different stories, cultures, and life experiences we share one vital thing, wanting to be with someone we love from a country other then our own and going through the journey. Happy Holiday and remember, "NOT ALL WHO WONDER ARE LOST!"

Congrats!

but just for clarity of anyone who reads this and might not realize....the K-1 visa is not a 'get to know you' visa...

I'll respectfully disagree with you on that. The K-1 visa is partially a "get to know you" visa. The reason for the 90 days is so you can be certain that your significant other will be able to adapt and adjust to America. Not everyone on here is engaged to a person from a visa waiver country and many of us are with someone that has never been to America before. "get to know you" might not be an accurate assessment. It's more like seeing if the person your with can adapt to their potential new country. Some can and some can't. That's why the 90 days.

[Fandango 1,440]

I'll respectfully disagree with you on that. The K-1 visa is partially a "get to know you" visa. The reason for the 90 days is so you can be certain that your significant other will be able to adapt and adjust to America. Not everyone on here is engaged to a person from a visa waiver country and many of us are with someone that has never been to America before. "get to know you" might not be an accurate assessment. It's more like seeing if the person your with can adapt to their potential new country. Some can and some can't. That's why the 90 days.

There's a difference with 'get to know the country' and 'get to know you'.

The K-1 is not a dating visa....that was my point. USCIS is not going to ever extend the 90 to 180 days in order for the parties to 'get to know one another'.

At that stage, that bit should already be done.

[ken and mintra 0]

I'll respectfully disagree with you on that. The K-1 visa is partially a "get to know you" visa. The reason for the 90 days is so you can be certain that your significant other will be able to adapt and adjust to America. Not everyone on here is engaged to a person from a visa waiver country and many of us are with someone that has never been to America before. "get to know you" might not be an accurate assessment. It's more like seeing if the person your with can adapt to their potential new country. Some can and some can't. That's why the 90 days.

There's a difference with 'get to know the country' and 'get to know you'.

The K-1 is not a dating visa....that was my point. USCIS is not going to ever extend the 90 to 180 days in order for the parties to 'get to know one another'.

At that stage, that bit should already be done.

Your culture and your country is who you are as a person. They are one in the same. I have known my fiance for over a year, visited her 6 times in the last year, and talk to her everyday. I know her very well. What I don't know is how she will adapt or adjust to America. If you have an inside track on what the USCIS will do now and in the future I'd be interested in hearing it. I remember about 10 months ago there was a discussion about raising the fees and many people said it would never happen. I never said the K-1 was a dating visa and never implied it. The 90 day period is to see if being together and living together in a different culture will work. I think you need to look at the world and this journey from a view outside of your little box and realize that everyone's situation is different. It's also easier for people coming from an English speaking culture and an Anglo background to adapt easier. I think your opinion is from a narrow and self serving point of view. Not everyone is from England. Not everyone is from English speaking countries. Not everyone is from a rich country. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to come and go from the USA at their leisure. I can see from your posts that you really don't have a clue as to what it's like coming for a country that is totally different then our own and the problems that can cause. There are people out there that are a lot different then you, really! Open your mind a little and realize that everyone's life is not just like yours. I'm assuming that your a "half glass empty" person. Even so, Happy Labor Day!

[Jasman0717 9]

Happy Labor Day