I met my husband through work and we got married in May 2012. We wanted to do things the 'right way' so we consulted a lawyer in Texas who told us the 'right way' is to make an I130 application and go through Direct Consular Filing. I had travelled to the US on a number of occasions (and my husband also visited me). We find it very hard being apart and miss each other terribly.
In September 2012, I left the US to comply with my ESTA and travelled back to the UK and to Canada for a few months. When I tried to go back to the US from Canada I was refused access because of the I130 application and I was no longer entitled to travel on the ESTA scheme. We were devastated and I have been in the UK ever since, waiting waiting waiting on the approval of my I130. If we had known this might be an issue, we would have gone down the I485 route which would have meant that I could stay in the US whilst it was being processed - ah for the hindsight.
I tried to apply for a B2 visa so at least we could spend Christmas in our house but was refused and treated very poorly by the Consulate official. I love and miss my husband very much. I just want this to be over so we can get on with our lives.