Jenn!

I guess we are somewhat of a success story, although Wadi doesn't have his citizenship yet, so the verdict is still out. I kid, I kid.
Anyway, we met almost 8 years ago now - we were both living in Genoa, Italy. We dated "traditionally" I guess, and then lived with each other for a while there as well. We went through the K1 process back in 2005 and have been married for over 5 years. Had our first child in 2009.
Right now, things are good, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing. We are a lot more different due to our upbringings than I realized when we were all wrapped up in the romance. It hasn't been anything insurmountable, but I would say that intercultural marriages are much more challenging overall. I think that when we met we were both already compromising in a way by living in Italy - more fast-paced than Morocco, more laid-back than the U.S. Moving to the U.S. was my comfort zone, and Wadi had to be the one to stretch. It's an ongoing process.
Now we have the greatest thing in common, our love for our child, that helps bridge our divides and makes us work extra hard to understand where the other is coming from. We're making a life here together - my career is going well, his business is starting to take off, we're thinking about when we'd like to add to our family. All in all, things are pretty good, and I wish the same for all of you.

Also remember, not liking bigots is bigoted.
I don't understand this alternative definition of racism, which seems to be simply noticing racial differences. Which makes a majority of minorities racist and a minority of the majority racist. How convenient.

This comment gets a gold star...
"Hi there i think the reason she refused his visa to US...she want him for herself..."

I see this board has truly gone to .

No thanks, I would never demean my husband nor American men that way.

Where are you getting that from? I'm not arguing it, I've just never seen any stats on it and I would have assumed otherwise. After all, aren't a majority of marriage/fiance visas petitioned by naturalized citizens from the same country as the beneficiary?

We try to speak English as much as we can at home. But if an argument comes up, we switch to Italian immediately (which happens to be neither of our first languages). It would be pretty useless for us to argue in our first language, since I don't understand Arabic. It sounds a lot prettier in Italian anyway.

Really? I know you didn't ask, but that doesn't seem like a wise idea to me.

Well, look at it this way: the smell of blood is not something Z and his fiancee will have to deal with much longer anyway, as her "monthly" will stop very soon (if it hasn't already.)

I'm with newlyweds2010. He didn't say anything wrong. He even mentioned you guys might have some real problems ahead. Then you were all rude.
If you're gonna post spotty, cryptic, posts about your fiancé, and his drug usage, or non-drug usage, or whether he smoked as a teen, and/or smoked on a guys trip...... you should expect comments like his, and mine.
I realize that the whole story is a precursor to your actual question, but I'm sure we could have done with out all the personal info on your hubby. TMI. Then you'd receive less trolling comments.
P.s. This isn't a therapy website, but I hope you get the help you're looking for in regards to your actually question. As I can offer no assistance in that. As for your hubby.... Tell him to drink plenty of water with lemon. Should help clean him out days before the big test, just incase he goes on another guys trip. Good luck!!

My opinion of Arabic is:
They need to have more letters representing vowels.

So what?

I think you mean Hava Nagila? Trying to imagine Carmina Burana at a wedding reception (worst wedding ever??):

Where is your sense of romance!? It's so....Shakespearean!

The kid didn't die.

CONGRATULATIONS Crazy & Mad, Peter'n'Jaime, renlovesjesus, Jenn!, Eddy67, envy_me, Chi_Gal01, Steve D, SQtoUS
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

If the shared language is not Arabic, English, or French, then the interview will most likely be in Arabic. At least that's what happened in our case.

more...
http://www.alternet....economic_model/

It has been a while since I have been on Visa Journey, and I have to say that my kids had (and are having) a hard time adjusting. I am surprised that more people haven't had similar experiences, but maybe it is a taboo topic to admit things are not always peachy.My kids were 11 and 17 when my husband came to the US. They both knew of him for two years prior to that and have talked via Skype. (more my daughter than son). Things seemed like they would be okay....but i wasn't ready for the cultural shock and adjustment period we would all need. I kept that in mind that first year.. There were just so many things we had to learn from each other, being online is not living with someone day in and day out..no matter how well you know them. We are still learning and I think this is healthy for us. My daughter is in counseling and I hope she can work out her feelings there.. My husband and I are doing great...and I constantly keep the lines of communication open for my daughter and son to talk to me about anything. I think you have to keep it real.. There will be an adjustment period and this is not only okay, it is normal. It is okay if not everyone in the family is singing odes of joy to each other all of the time. Relationships take hard work. My kids know they are unconditionally loved . That, in itself, is the greatest gift I can give them. Freedom to be who they are and to feel what they do. Would I like them to eventually have a close relationship with my husband? Sure. But in their own time....and we have plenty of time....
Feels food to be back on Visa Journey and to hear all of your stories. It reminds me that I am not alone...
bajih

If it means no more stupid Star Wars references, I'm all for a coup.

If it means no more stupid Star Wars references, I'm all for a coup.

LOL. Best MENA forum advice ever. If you think you might in any way resemble this description, do not proceed.