Words of encouragement...

[Tina and Johan 206]

HI SAgirl. My fiance is also a South African. He's currently living in Ireland, but we are having to wait on getting his documents from SA in order to schedule his interview. Good thinking getting it well in advance. Being apart sucks. HUGE. But the wait is worth it. One good thing is it looks like once you get to the consulate stage, it'll fairly quick; South Africa isn't as difficult as other African countries to get through. There WILL come a time when this is all behind you and you're together. I am starting to understand the internet issues in SA. I've never met my future family in person, but we have talked and skyped and it's not a regular thing, sadly. One thing that I try to do weekly is send my fiance a hand-written letter. I know he'll get it within about 10 days and the surprise in the mail comforts him as much as it does me to write it. Of course, feel free to vent here; we know what you're going through, and we are a pretty supportive group. I'd also suggest joining the March TSC group on here. They REALLY know what you're going through. ((((((hugs))))))

Tina

[Julie+Matt 84]

Everyone here is very supportive, which is nice. Try to stay positive. It's hard, I know. Lucky for me I'm leaving tonight for a week with my fiancé. What's weird tho...I don't like skype. It hurts too much to see him & not be able to touch him or look him directly in the eyes. I don't like it. So we just voice chat everyday over Xfire. Maybe I'm weird, I don't know. Best of luck on your journey:)

[Maritah 101]

I talked with my fiancé (US citizen) about all the comments over the wait and how different are the procedure between TSC and CSC in the forum and he said this:

"I guess the process is long for simple reason: they are testing if really the relationship is bona fide in their way, they knows that stress can make couples get into fights and arguments between each other for lose patcience or in fraud cases persons will break up and maybe take a chance with another person but the wait will be the same in most of the cases. It´s a fact that neither of us cant do anything but wait, people must not get into much checking their status in the USCIS site every hour or day because they only are making themselves things more difficult and the emotional burden its heavy in real relationships because people love each other.

The best thing that we can do its get the time full of activities when the process its running: If you are unemployed get a job, or if you have too much free time after the job get a hobby or go with family and friends to spend quality time and get distracted so you dont think too much in the waiting. In another words, dont make your actual life stop just for the process and the waiting".

To me make complete sense his words, I just wanted shared it with you.

Good day everyone!

[Confusedtinybird 41]

HI SAgirl. My fiance is also a South African. He's currently living in Ireland, but we are having to wait on getting his documents from SA in order to schedule his interview. Good thinking getting it well in advance. Being apart sucks. HUGE. But the wait is worth it. One good thing is it looks like once you get to the consulate stage, it'll fairly quick; South Africa isn't as difficult as other African countries to get through. There WILL come a time when this is all behind you and you're together. I am starting to understand the internet issues in SA. I've never met my future family in person, but we have talked and skyped and it's not a regular thing, sadly. One thing that I try to do weekly is send my fiance a hand-written letter. I know he'll get it within about 10 days and the surprise in the mail comforts him as much as it does me to write it. Of course, feel free to vent here; we know what you're going through, and we are a pretty supportive group. I'd also suggest joining the March TSC group on here. They REALLY know what you're going through. ((((((hugs))))))

Tina

Tina did Johan receive his Police Clearance how long did it take? You will have to visit his family in S.A. soon it's beautiful here.

[Confusedtinybird 41]

the crappy thing is internet is so expensive in south africa and he doesn't have a job there, so we barely get to skype which makes things even harder... right now, whatsapp is our only savior. that and i call him every day, but it drives me nuts not being able to see him.

hi!

hes already got that ready to go. we have a lawyer and we got that and his long form birth certifricate out of the way earlier so we didnt have to wait when the time comes. We're just waiting on that NOA2 now.

Awesome!

[Sagirl8987 1]

I had to stay away from VJ for awhile to comfort my fiancée.we have been a part since September 22 2014, this process is very difficult. When you find that one person that makes you feel so loved and special it makes this process even more difficult, but at the same, makes it all worth it in the end. No one wants to be away from their loved ones, even if your loved one was living right next door. But this long distant relationship is not easy and not for everyone. Our NOA2 is coming, we just need to be patient, love one another and comfort each other through this difficult time, but guess what? That's what we have to now and even more so when we are together. That's love and that's marriage. This is test and only the strong, the true and the patient will make it through this long and difficult process. What gets me through the day is that I know there is light at the end of the tunnel and when my fiancee and I communicate (all day and night every day and night of the week) we don't talk about our petition. We talk about current events our future together and learning and getting to know each other as much as we can. Because when this is over, she will be the person I will live with and love and take care of, for the rest of our lives and vise versa. So this is the perfect time to really get to know the person you will spend the rest of your lives with.

Take advantage of this time. Yeah it's hard to be a part from each other. I cry some days and nights because I miss her, but we can't change the process and freaking out and stressing over when will we get our NOA2 , That will not make this process go any faster. Comfort each other, We both have our strong points and weak points. When she is weak I try to be strong and when I am weak she tries to be strong. That's what a relationship is about. It does not matter if your loved one lives next door or thousands miles away. It's all the same. It takes work and commitment from both people and not just during this difficult process but for the rest of the time you are together.

I hope who ever is reading this take comfort in knowing you are not alone. There are many of us who is going through what you are going through and know we will get through this. Stay positive, stay strong and most importantly, always communicate with your loved one. We can get through do this, and we will!!!

Good luck to all!!! Our time will be soon!!!

NOA 1 January 16 2014

Alien registration number changed January 16 2014

TSC/SRC

And Skype is a blessing, we Skype all day and all night. We watch each other sleep and wake up in the morning. It makes us feel like we are together and not missing precious time we would be missing if it was not for Skype. It's a beautiful thing to be able to see each other, and we have arguments and misunderstanding and that makes this relationship real and grow stronger. We see each other during good times and bad times and I believe this process will make those who are truly in love, make that love grow stronger and stronger. I sometimes think about this whole process and how much I miss my fiancee, I smile because, I know I found the right person, I know I found my soul mate, I know I found my life partner, and I know I will wait forever for her. It doesn't matter how this will take, she is worth it. So if you feel the same way I do, know in your heart, you will get through this, and that you will be in the arms, of the one you love.

Your post helps a lot. Thank you very much!! Good luck to you! I hope we're in the arms of the ones we love soon!?

[Sagirl8987 1]

HI SAgirl. My fiance is also a South African. He's currently living in Ireland, but we are having to wait on getting his documents from SA in order to schedule his interview. Good thinking getting it well in advance. Being apart sucks. HUGE. But the wait is worth it. One good thing is it looks like once you get to the consulate stage, it'll fairly quick; South Africa isn't as difficult as other African countries to get through. There WILL come a time when this is all behind you and you're together. I am starting to understand the internet issues in SA. I've never met my future family in person, but we have talked and skyped and it's not a regular thing, sadly. One thing that I try to do weekly is send my fiance a hand-written letter. I know he'll get it within about 10 days and the surprise in the mail comforts him as much as it does me to write it. Of course, feel free to vent here; we know what you're going through, and we are a pretty supportive group. I'd also suggest joining the March TSC group on here. They REALLY know what you're going through. ((((((hugs))))))

Tina

Tina thank you very much!!! I am in the march TSC group as well. I can't wait until were finally together again! I feel like I'm really starting to lose it. I keep trying to look forward to the time I get to pick him up at the airport. One day soon!

[Tina and Johan 206]

Tina did Johan receive his Police Clearance how long did it take? You will have to visit his family in S.A. soon it's beautiful here.

I can't wait!! We're planning for next March/April. And they're coming here for our wedding in October.

As for his paperwork: he had to get a Police cert, which he processed through the SA embassy in Dublin. He also needed to get his military records, and those were supposed to have posted about mid-March. He never received them. His mom has been on the phone with various people; he has been on the phone with various people. Finally, (and I can't believe this!! It shows just how different countries are from one another) his mom was able to talk to someone who offered to let her come over to their HOUSE and pick up his paperwork. I couldn't believe it. Now he's just waiting for all of it from her to arrive in the mail, and we are good to go! His medical is this Wednesday. The police clearance has taken over a month and a half. But he IS out of the country, so I am thinking that's the biggest issue.

[Tina and Johan 206]

Tina thank you very much!!! I am in the march TSC group as well. I can't wait until were finally together again! I feel like I'm really starting to lose it. I keep trying to look forward to the time I get to pick him up at the airport. One day soon!

You're welcome. (((((hugs)))))

[Karam and Jamie 44]

I have known my fiance for a year this month. Our case started on February 14th. Our petition was approved in 50 days but from what I am hearing on here it will take 3 to 5 months to get an interview with the Egyptian Embassy. We are both miserable without each other so I feel your pain!!!! We want this process to be DONE.

[Karam and Jamie 44]

I do figure it will help me to appreciate my honey even more though

[Lena&Islam 9]

What a journey we are all on! What was I thinking when I fell in love with someone who lived so far away from me(raise your hands if you concur with me)! As long as you are close in heart(emotionally close) I think distance is only temporary, that is what you have to keep telling yourself. My Fiance and I have been dating since 2011 and just got engaged in 2013. During that time we spent every precious minute together, even while I was working 3 jobs and having 6-7 hours time zone differences. Talk about being sleep deprived! We texted, webcam (Oovoo) another program like Skype. We cook(I cooked, he drooled), watch movies together, have romantic candlelit dates via webcam. We visit with his family, they all stop by to greet me or to tell me how much they missed me. We integrated our families together, making sure that everyone feels our love and is involved in being a part of our relationship. We have slumber parties on the weekends, spend holidays together, baking and making Christmas cookies,sharing our cultures and traditions! We shop together online, buying clothes and shopping for furniture for our new apartment together, so that when he gets here its his place too. I take him all around my city, showing him all the sights and places where he will be living. He's afraid of how much SNOW we had! But on the flip side, I get to teach him how to build his first snow man. We sleep together, there isn't anything that he and I don't know about each other...We both feel like we live in our little Fish Bowl of Love together. Keep up the spiciness of your relationship! And Thank God for technology! I couldn't do all of this without it! So thankful I don't have to Pony Express an emoticon!

What helps us to keep going during this long wait now that we have filed our K1 petition is that we continue to learn, love and support each other through this time and for the rest of our lives as a couple. We sometimes have disagreements, cultural differences, misunderstanding, insecurities but what we realize no matter how far away we are from each other we are committed to each other and this relationship. There is no winning or losing, we both want to win and that being,we want to win as a couple together. I'm with him every step of the way and he is with me too. We reassure each other on a daily basis, talking, praying and sending funny photos and comic strips. It takes a tremendous amount of trust, faith and deep love for each other to make it work. It is because of the way that we are dating because we don't have instant access to each other that we spend deep quality time in getting to know each other so deeply. He can tell what kind of day I'm having as soon as he sees me on webcam. Yep, so I won't even try to hide that I bought another pair of heels! When I'm feeling down, all the sudden I'll see a sexy heels website link...this man is trying across 5,000 miles to cheer me up! How can I not love him?!

You both have chosen to be in this beautiful, crazy relationship! You have to keep up your spirits that you will be together in the end...the end of the process when he/she is in your arms( for real!) In the meantime don't forget to go out and enjoy some time being with friends, family and social outings too for that is healthy for your relationship with each other. Or as I say...Last days of living in a single gals life! Woo-hoo!

No, seriously...the wedding is all planned, just need the groom now! Cause you know I need to kiss the groom when the officiate says so! Keep up that positive spirit! And have fun being in love and creating a dream together.

[Tina and Johan 206]

Tina did Johan receive his Police Clearance how long did it take? You will have to visit his family in S.A. soon it's beautiful here.

I just asked him, and he said it took about a month, and he had it sent to his mom's house. He's now waiting for her to send it to him and there is worry over the postal strike. :-/ The military records were the bigger problem. He had the "lost in the post" back in mid-March. Hopefully, he'll get them in the next week so he can send in his readiness form.

[LionessDeon 2,060]

This topic was so touching to me that I finally signed up as a member. We're planning to submit our petition soon, so I have been following VJ and getting informed! I know I am in for the toughest test of my strength, commitment, and faith. SAgirl and Belle&Iz, your posts hit my heart! This is my first long distance relationship. I truly believe our relationships are stronger than many normal relationships I see in person. We only have communication through words so in turn we know our fiance/finacee's on a much deeper level. Although I have only seen him in person for a mere few days, this man knows more about me, cares more about me, and makes me feel more loved than any non-distance relationship I have had! Saying how ungodly difficult it is to be apart from him would be preaching to the choir!

You all are such a wonderful support system! Being a part of VJ will make this process a bit easier. Good Luck to all of you! And as my fiance says...Just have faith, we will be together soon.....look time is flying! lol (endless positivity from my Rasta)

Edited May 13, 2014 by LionessDeon

[Confusedtinybird 41]

I just asked him, and he said it took about a month, and he had it sent to his mom's house. He's now waiting for her to send it to him and there is worry over the postal strike. :-/ The military records were the bigger problem. He had the "lost in the post" back in mid-March. Hopefully, he'll get them in the next week so he can send in his readiness form.

Thanks Tina!

Hope Johan receives all his documents soon! I haven't heard of a postal strike. But maybe use DHL or Fedex to be sure that it arrives in time. For some reason mail in South Africa is sometimes held for a week before being let out of the country.

Also March/April is a great time to visit! It has cooled down and there are not so many tourists here so it's more quite! ha ha