How do people do this??

[dukeandduchess 141]

It isn't easy. Marriage isn't easy either. They both take patience, love, commitment, and a sense of humor. You both with have sad tears. You both will have happy tears. I guess it just depends on which ones mean more to you.

[RickJovi 81]

I finally met May in the Philippines on April 28, 2012 and stayed there until May 16, 2012. I proposed to her on her birthday while I was there (May 6) and sent the paperwork on May 21st. Now the long wait begins and back to Skype. I've been reading these forums for months now and received a lot of helpful advice. My problem is, it hasn't even been a week since I filed and I'm missing her already. I don't know how people can stand waiting the 5, 6 or more months for their loved one. It's killing me already! I just want to be with her.

Please someone send me some encouragement..

It is very hard, I understand but we re at the mercy of USCIS processing. It took almost 5 months for our noa2. I missed my fiancee so bad, that I went back and visited her a 2nd time 3 months later. Since our noa2 onMay 2nd, she has completed her St. Lukes medical and CFO guidance and counseling seminar an her Embassy interview is on June 4th. Stay strong, pray a lot and try to b as patient as you can. Good things come to those who wait. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. If you can use oovoo and when you both register it, use your real names, not nicknames, you will have an easier call history to use and can take screenshots of you two using your webcams. Search for my prior postings. I talk about it. Just o you know if you use nicknames in any communications that you submit for proof of ongoing relationship, be prepared to have her get Cenomars with the different names used and aka's on her Ni clearance. The consular officer will ask or them 99.99% of the time. Good luck.

[Dirk 30]

We are in the same boat my friend, I was with Analie the first 2 weeks of April, I miss her so much I just booked another trip for July 1 st. Keep your self busy, it will make the time go by super fast.

[chrishella 0]

I finally met May in the Philippines on April 28, 2012 and stayed there until May 16, 2012. I proposed to her on her birthday while I was there (May 6) and sent the paperwork on May 21st. Now the long wait begins and back to Skype. I've been reading these forums for months now and received a lot of helpful advice. My problem is, it hasn't even been a week since I filed and I'm missing her already. I don't know how people can stand waiting the 5, 6 or more months for their loved one. It's killing me already! I just want to be with her.

Please someone send me some encouragement..

dont cha worry, even my fiancée since he left he already miss me and to tell you honestly he cry when he go back to US..

all i want to say to you is just be patient and keep contacting her everyday so that you dont feel alone...

all we do this time while waiting for the NOA2 is be patient...thats it and even your far to each other there still the word trust between the two of you...

hope my comment help you..

[RickJovi 81]

We are in the same boat my friend, I was with Analie the first 2 weeks of April, I miss her so much I just booked another trip for July 1 st. Keep your self busy, it will make the time go by super fast.

The name Analie sends chills up my spine. That is the name of my ex who betrayed and used me or gc. Maybe you will have better luck. My ex is still in Redwood City. Hope your Anale isn't from Zamboanga City area and has the last name Wines. Good luck.

[Milan&Pam 4]

The distance and waiting is horrible. Yes, knowing it is worth it in the end still doesn't fill the space in between. It's even harder with me being in Afghanistan (working for the military) and he is back in his country. At least he has some sort of normal life and can stay busy. Not so normal with me and our internet here is terrible!! However, we do talk as much as possible on Skype. We spend a lot time discussing day to day activities, family, hot topics, etc. The thing that keeps ME busy is planning for our future (visits to each other, possible new jobs, relocating, traveling, wedding, retiring etc) . If nothing else, it gives me something to look forward to and something to google when I am alone.

My fiancee and I have been apart for two months now and, honestly, it does get easier when you get into a routine. Before we knew it, two months had passed and I will see him again in 10 weeks. By the way…we count weeks and not days. And I agree, try not to check timelines and such too much. It makes it worse.

The good thing, with all the conversation and total concentration for just each other with our Skype calls, we have learned SO much about each other. We are "talkers" anyway but it has been really great to build and strengthen our friendship along the way.

Hang in there!! We never really want to rush our lives, but sometimes I'd like to fast forward just a little.

[Operator 1,927]

Naked video chats.

[kate&javi 26]

Sorry, my last response got cut off because my fiance arrived with our dinner.

Seriously though, I think keeping yourself busy is super important. Maintain your normal work schedule and do the normal day-to-day things. Although my fiance and I live with each other, I still feel crazy about the time that it is taking to get the petition approved because I want to go back to the US really bad! So I understand your pain, the time feels long but in reality, it goes by really fast when you are living your day-to-day life. We try to keep things are normal as possible and we stop talking about the visa all of the time because it can become a problem in the relationship... just know that it will come one day, that every day that passes is one closer to when you will be together, and prepare yourself for the next step when you have the time to do so.

[thelastpetitioner 218]

I am the beneficiary and a complete type A person, I did all the paperwork by myself because I didn't and still don't trust lawyers....so this should probably mean a lot coming from the type of person I am. If I would have known then what i know now, I would have worried much less

[Linds&Youssef 56]

What is Igor's list? I've seen this mentioned a couple of times...

[virtualNik 1]

Just know that essentially everyone on this site that's doing this process, is going through the same thing. Skype becomes your best friend! Stay strong and carry on! It get's easier and every notification is a step closer to unification!

[Operator 1,927]

What is Igor's list? I've seen this mentioned a couple of times...

http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/monthly_filers.php?cfl=$cfl

[Josie-Be-Happy 11]

The waiting is very hard. Best thing to do is to keep in contact and stay busy. The waiting will drive you nuts.

I was with my husband for over 2 years before we got married. We saw each other every 6 months. He's here with me now and when I look back, I can't believe that we were able to maintain a very strong relationship. True love will always prevail.

Good luck.

[trupnay5 1]

I finally met May in the Philippines on April 28, 2012 and stayed there until May 16, 2012. I proposed to her on her birthday while I was there (May 6) and sent the paperwork on May 21st. Now the long wait begins and back to Skype. I've been reading these forums for months now and received a lot of helpful advice. My problem is, it hasn't even been a week since I filed and I'm missing her already. I don't know how people can stand waiting the 5, 6 or more months for their loved one. It's killing me already! I just want to be with her.

Please someone send me some encouragement..

Congrats on your engagement! Being apart is really hard, pero kaya niyo yan! My fiance is from the Philippines as well, and the last time we saw each other in person was Sept. 2010. We're getting our documents ready so hopefully we can file our petition by beginning to mid June.

For us, we are constantly communicating via Skype, Yahoo Messenger, Facebook, text, Chikka, or phone calls. Video calls are great. Like others, we have also slept while video calls were on so it feels like they are sleeping next to you. I also have Super US Direct, which basically lets me talk to him on our cell phones, unlimited! It's great because we can still talk if we're out doing errands or have no access to the internet. Most times I have a hard time going to sleep if I don't hear his voice, so if we don't Skype, I'll just call him on his cell, and we'll talk, then most times he'll sing me to sleep and then just keep the phone on while I sleep.

It's a long road ahead, but the journey will definitely be worth the wait!

Good luck to you guys!

[JaideeOGH 1]

I feel for you guys...... It is a long wait. Once you did everything right, just chill. Everyday you come back to VJ, you will notice theres another person 1 more day newer than you..... Think of advice you give them.

I submitted March 1 and look, June 1 is coming up so fast. The first month is torturous, the second gets better. By the third, you'll boycott the site a bit.......and based on where I am now, Im beginning to worry again... Could I still get an RFE, am I ready for what it means to get and NOA2?

From here on, Skype. Skype, Skype and skype. It will keep you grounded, maintain your sanity and gie you a few moments of bliss! As a couple who haven't cohabited with an S/O before, we discuss the big move, living together dealing with transistions and a lot of stuff that we hope will prepare us for 'the rest of our lives'. Talking fears, anxieties and hopes etc. etc. Try to learn 1 new thing about the next step of the process each week. AND...... Your relationship comes first. If you every catch yourselves talking to each other and the first questions out of someones mouth is "Have you been to VJ" or "Whats our new estimated date", you need a time out. I'm serious, there was a point where romance begins to look like a business deal!

Relax.....and don't forget: If everything goes well (my fingers are crossed for you), this is the beginning of the end of singlehood. Enjoy it...and maybe make a bucket list!!!!!

CHEERS