ChuckH

Huge sigh of relief. Got the email today and website confirmed card production ordered today March 22. This is so wonderful because now no more deadlines, we can apply for citizenship or not it's our decision and it's so nice to have the pressure completely off. I was getting worried because I was one of the few RFEs. Our RFE came 12-16 but I wasn't able to respond until 1-26. I was beginning to worry that it had been thrown in with the January apps and wouldn't be looked at until much later. They supply a little red RFE envelope but we had way too much stuff for that so used the normal priority mail thingy and just taped the Red RFE address part from the envelope on the outside. I know they receive thousands a day and it would have been so easy for it to get thrown into the January bin instead of the RFE bin. Since the RFE was due in March I was worried we would be getting notice that our app was abandoned and we'd have to start all over again.
I think we got RFE'd for a reasons in case this helps anyone in the future: 1) We do not have children yet... nothing I can do about that... 2) I did not send actual IRS transcripts the first time around but just copies of Turbo Tax Returns with our names on them, I guess not good enough. 3) We had no lease or mortgage signed together. This is because I am a church worker and we have typically been provided with church-owned housing. I didn't explain this or support it the first time around, but sent in the explanation of lack of communal residence evidence with my RFE. As an overkill gesture we sent in a picture of us together from every month we'd been married in front of various landmarks.
My only concluding thought is: If they basically approve everyone why make us go through all this trouble? sigh, at least it's over, many many hours of my life gone, thousands of dollars sent into the US gov't but at least can be with the one I love, It's worth it.
Thanks to all you Visajourniers, I was mostly a lurker over the years, but before I began the K-1 process three and a half years ago I read the Guides voraciously, and lots of forums as well. I read and read and read. Never used a lawyer, never had a hiccup until this RFE. I'm especially impressed with those who remain to answer questions for the newbies even when their process has been over for a long time. You guys are amazing, I can't do it, now that we're done I'll spend very little time here... thanks to you who do post, and help out those who are coming after you.
Blessings all! And to you Vermonters Keep the faith!! It will happen, just not as fast as you'd like. I've searched a lot of these and they basically never deny anyone, as long as you fill out the stuff right. The burden of proof is ON THEM to proove that you do not have a true marriage, They can't do that, so they just string you along and aprove you in the end.
Thanks Again
Chuck & Jean