Our Quest Complete - the condensed version

[sammar2056 6]

Hi, my name is Sandy and our quest began in November of 2012. We met on a website via messages. I never fathomed in a million years that a year later I'd be traveling 7000 miles to North Africa, Tunisia to marry. But I did, and we did on June 20th 2013 at the town hall. My father -in -law missed it due to his cab breaking down. We had two of his father's friends as witnesses. I stayed there for 14 days and then had to leave for home again.. without my Houcem. I wanted to write this to you all to tell you one thing.. it was worth the tears to have him here. There is not a moment in time where I regret where we are today.. I didn't make enough money so I tried for a sponsor, no luck. I ended up getting a 2nd job and worked that until I made what was needed.

We were also told we probably wouldn't get approved due to our age difference. He's here with me. It did get approved. Houcem made a scrapbook of all the western union receipts he had from me sending him money. We had letters from the first time he sent me snail mail. We had messages online. Skype logs, fb logs, phone records from my end, anything we shared or wrote , photos from skype, it's all important.

The biggest issue we had was port of entry in Chicago. He was detained 15 hrs and the airline refused to give me any information on his whereabouts. It was hell for me on my end.. and worse on his. They threatened to send him back to Tunisia. They threatened to put him in jail. There were 14 officers surrounding him, egging him on, pushing whatever button they could find to rile him up, hoping he'd snap I guess. He had to see an immigration judge who was an immigrant himself and thus approved him. It was a fight to get him here, but never did either of us give up.

That's what you all need to do.. fight for the right to have your spouse or family member with you. Just when you think you can't handle the stress anymore, take a deep breath and press on. It's work but it's worth it.

We are having a lot of firsts here. I am seeing the world I sometimes take for granted with a new set of eyes. He's had his first birthday here, first chocolate chip cookies, we actually celebrated our 2nd anniversary with him here on US soil.. and on our anniversary this past June, he received his green card in the mail. He now works for the same company I do. He's my best friend, the love of my life, my Arabian Knight..

[sumehra29 22]

Glad to hear I think the best thing to do is have hope and give everything time . But why 15 hours I can't imajine not knowing anything in that time

[KimberlyAhmed 28]

Congrats on the two of you finally being together here.

[heo luoi 206]

Argh, I am trying to prep for the steps ahead (scheduling interview pending) and I was trying to determine regarding travel. Do you have any more insights on what went down in Chicago, that sounds crazy. :/

[BigDaddy28 228]

Hi, my name is Sandy and our quest began in November of 2012. We met on a website via messages. I never fathomed in a million years that a year later I'd be traveling 7000 miles to North Africa, Tunisia to marry. But I did, and we did on June 20th 2013 at the town hall. My father -in -law missed it due to his cab breaking down. We had two of his father's friends as witnesses. I stayed there for 14 days and then had to leave for home again.. without my Houcem. I wanted to write this to you all to tell you one thing.. it was worth the tears to have him here. There is not a moment in time where I regret where we are today.. I didn't make enough money so I tried for a sponsor, no luck. I ended up getting a 2nd job and worked that until I made what was needed.

We were also told we probably wouldn't get approved due to our age difference. He's here with me. It did get approved. Houcem made a scrapbook of all the western union receipts he had from me sending him money. We had letters from the first time he sent me snail mail. We had messages online. Skype logs, fb logs, phone records from my end, anything we shared or wrote , photos from skype, it's all important.

The biggest issue we had was port of entry in Chicago. He was detained 15 hrs and the airline refused to give me any information on his whereabouts. It was hell for me on my end.. and worse on his. They threatened to send him back to Tunisia. They threatened to put him in jail. There were 14 officers surrounding him, egging him on, pushing whatever button they could find to rile him up, hoping he'd snap I guess. He had to see an immigration judge who was an immigrant himself and thus approved him. It was a fight to get him here, but never did either of us give up.

That's what you all need to do.. fight for the right to have your spouse or family member with you. Just when you think you can't handle the stress anymore, take a deep breath and press on. It's work but it's worth it.

We are having a lot of firsts here. I am seeing the world I sometimes take for granted with a new set of eyes. He's had his first birthday here, first chocolate chip cookies, we actually celebrated our 2nd anniversary with him here on US soil.. and on our anniversary this past June, he received his green card in the mail. He now works for the same company I do. He's my best friend, the love of my life, my Arabian Knight..

Congratulations yall. It's a hard road to get your loved ones here, long, takes a lot of patience and a lot of effort from both parts. But it's all worth it.

About the officers I agree 14 is a lot but you have to understand that their goal was to protect this country. I'm glad you got the chance to be with your husband, and I wish you all the best in the future.

[HoussemAnna 20]

It is a very emotional path to being with a loved one. Thank you so much for sharing this part of your reunion with your husband. I hope to see more success stories and love to see updates especially positive ones. Your story is beautiful and much happiness for your future

[TBoneTX 45,319]

Thanks for relating your nice story.

[Pishi_Pishi 63]

Glad things worked out in the end! Congrats!

[Marti 2]

Mahbrook! Thank you for sharing your story.

15 hours in Chicago..that's crazy..I am also curious about what/why this happened. I am happy that in the end it all worked out for you both.

Best wishes!

[AmericanTaxpayer 1]

How awful, especially if it was his first time travelling abroad. So glad to have an American passport--I have witnessed many Asian/MENA passport holders get harassed during inspections in many countries, not just the US.

Enjoy your time together in America!

Edited September 15, 2015 by AmericanTaxpayer

[Pitaya 2,577]

Welcome to the forum.