Hello 2016, Goodbye Distance Forever!

"You're married now, can't you just move there and be done with it?"

I have been asked this more than a few times and my god, I wish it was that easy! Unfortunately, it's not - we've had to condense our relationship over the past 3+ years into a stack of forms and photos roughly an inch high. There's no official list of what evidence we need to include and there's no co-sponsors so this is all on us. As two recent graduates - that's a lot! However, after months of work (mostly just this past month) and an unreal amount of cash (thanks grandparents in Scotland SO SO much!) we're coming to the end of phase 1 and I'll be shipping my documents off tomorrow! With priority processing (and another staggering fee) we should have an answer within 1-2 weeks. :)

Main requirements for the UK Spouse Visa include:

1) We are a legitimate couple. Our marriage is legal and recognized in both countries.

2) We intend to live together and have adequate space to do so. (Hello beautiful townhouse in Northern Ireland - I can't wait to make you into a home!)

and finally,

3) We meet the financial requirement. This is the kicker for most couples because it isn't small - but thanks to Stuart's wonderful job we can prove that I won't be a burden on the government. ;)

Provided all of the evidence I'm sending results in an approval, we're good to go for two and a half years! I can legally work and will have access to health care immediately, though I will still have to pay for doctor's appointments and prescriptions :( . We can finally start planning our honeymoon, put down roots, and stop worrying about dropped calls, bad connections, and time differences. No more expensive plane tickets and missed celebrations... For nearly three years we've been making it work long distance and we are more than ready for what comes next.

We have never been so excited to say goodbye at the airport as we were this past time - I cannot put into words how good that feels that in less than a month's time I'll be going home for good.