Finally introducing us - Dan and Cherie

[vaughandw 15]

Hello all. I've been lurking around on and off for a while, so decided to finally introduce myself. I'm Dan from Virginia. I hope Cherie, my fiance from Gingoog, Philippines, will be willing to participate and post as well.

Cherie and I met in the Philippines last summer. After finishing college, I decided to go to Thailand to teach English. I went to the Philippines first, and Cherie and I happened to be in Manila at the same time. We had chatted online occasionally over the past three years, but neither of us gave any thought to actually meeting each other. I guess there was just no romantic spark over the internet, but there was in person. The first time, we only saw each other for half an hour. I met her to give her some information on an employment opportunity, and then we parted ways. After that, I went to Thailand for a month to get my TEFL certification.

I decided not to remain in Thailand for several reasons, mainly because of a motorcycle accident which resulted in injuries to my mouth and feet that left me unable to speak clearly or wear shoes. Not the ideal way to show up for a job interview. It also took a good chunk of the money I had saved for this expedition. So I decided to go back to the US to work, but I wanted to see the Philippines one more time before I left.

Sitting at my hotel room in Manila, I thought about Cherie and shot her a text to see if she wanted to meet up again. A couple days later, I was on a plane to Cagayan de Oro, from where I made the bus journey to the charming little town of Gingoog.

I think Cherie was a little suprised I actually showed up. We didn't get to spend enough time together. Less than a week. But it was less than a week of heaven. We fell in love right then, and by the time I left, I knew I would never find another woman who could make me happy and content the way she could. With no more money, I had to return to America to find work. I signed on with a trucking company and went to Arkansas to get driver training. By the time I finished school and started driving, I asked Cherie for permission to court her.

We are planning to get married in the Philippines in November. We thought about a K1 visa, but believe getting married in the Philippines is better for a few reasons. For one, I don't have any family here, so it would be better for us to get married where her family and friends, and some of my friends, can attend. Also, with a 50% divorce rate here in the US, an American marriage doesn't seem to mean much anymore, besides a way to legally steal everything a man has from him after his wife decides she's sick of him. So we will get married in the Philippines and then file for a spousal visa.

It's a pretty scary process to imagine: facing the faceless bureaucracy, taking matters of the heart to a heartless monster. I hope this website can give us some help. The main thing I'm worried about is the fact that I haven't made any real money in the past three years. After getting my discharge from the Navy, I went to college on the GI Bill. I had a part time job doing tree removal work until I got a hernia from lifting logs all day, but even that wasn't much. So I'm worried my Affidavit of Support might be a problem. Getting company-sponsored training to start trucking means working practically for free for six months. I'll get a raise next month that will put me somewhere around the 125% of the poverty line level, so I hope that, along with an education and work history that guarantees me more job opportunities than just trucking, will be enough to convince the government I meet their requirements. Then there's the spousal visa requirement to show joint ownership of property, which is a problem, because we're both too poor to own any property!

Anyway, here we are, and there's no way we can break up, so we're just going to have to get a shovel and start digging through all the bullsh@t. Hope to meet some interesting people here along the way!

Dan

[pookaphilus 12]

Welcome to VJ!!!...Just have faith in everything. God will always provide!!..God bless on your journey!!

[kittybunny 0]

Welcome friends!!!I love your love story!If I was in charge of visas I would give you one Anyway this is a great website and any help you need we are all here for you! Nothing is impossible. It's really good you were in the navy this help alot in the process as you did serve our country.

Edited April 12, 2011 by kittybunny

[vaughandw 15]

Thanks for the welcome! Yes, I know God is good. I really believe He wanted Cherie and I to meet. I became a Christian after I met Cherie and really saw how He worked through her.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Hi Dan, welcome to VJ and congratulations to you both on finding each other!

I'll get a raise next month that will put me somewhere around the 125% of the poverty line level, so I hope that, along with an education and work history that guarantees me more job opportunities than just trucking, will be enough to convince the government I meet their requirements. Then there's the spousal visa requirement to show joint ownership of property, which is a problem, because we're both too poor to own any property!

If you are unable to meet the 125% threshold, do you know someone who would be willing to co-sponsor?

Joint ownership of property is not a requirement for a spousal visa, it's just one of the items suggested on the I-130 instructions to show marriage bonafides. Looking over the I-130 instructions under the area for spouse, only A through D are required; documentation of one or more of E through J should be submitted as evidence of bonafides.

Best wishes going forward!

[vaughandw 15]

I have plenty of friends who would be willing to co-sponsor. In their hearts, at least. In reality, they're all about as broke as me! Hahaha.

So the evidence of a bonafide relationship are pretty much the same between a fiance visa and a spousal visa?

[Kish.2328 9]

Hey Dan and Cherie! Welcome to VJ. Gingoog is just a 2.5-drive from my place and yes - its a beautiful little city.

[vaughandw 15]

Gotta love the spring water coming out of every tap!

[aphrodite7 1]

Welcome to VJ Dan and Cherie!

Your love story is a little similar to ours. God bless and wishing you both a good luck

[Zharren Young 32]

Welcome to VJ Love your love story. Goodluck to you both

[PhilAmTx 14]

love is jut amazing... good luck

[Ryan H 3,812]

I have plenty of friends who would be willing to co-sponsor. In their hearts, at least. In reality, they're all about as broke as me! Hahaha.

So the evidence of a bonafide relationship are pretty much the same between a fiance visa and a spousal visa?

There is something your friends can do, when you submit your I-130, have them write affidavits attesting to your marriage.

Essentially you will use the same evidence for your I-130 that you would have used for an I-129F. However, I -130 needs a little more, like the affidavits I mentioned above. If you can add her to anything (e.g. authorized user on your credit cards), then go ahead and do so.

[crystal01 29]

Welcome to VJ Dan! Loved reading your love story. It's amazing how love strikes unexpectedly isnt it? Wish you all the best in your journey!

[vaughandw 15]

Thanks for the welcomes everyone. And thanks for the suggestions, Ryan. I think that joint ownership might be a good excuse to buy a Honda XRM in the Philippines and put both our names on the title.

[HappyInHawaii 6]

Aloha Dan and Cherie - It is a nice love story. Wishing you both the best on your journey - D