A September to Remember

[Bandana]

<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 11pt">Talk di Tings</span></span>

<span style="font-size: 11pt">In December 2008 I went on a life changing trip to Jamaica.
At the time I wrote the trip report, I had not yet realized exactly how life changing it was to be... </span> <span style="font-size: 8pt"> link </span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt">
That &quot;Angel&quot; I met on New Years Day broke all my &quot;rules&quot; and I'm so thankful that he did...
When I came back from Jamaica in 2009 engaged, I was afraid to talk openly here about the changes in my life.
I did not want to undergo any scrutiny for choosing to love a yard man.

For almost 2 years my life has been about morning wake-up calls, text messages, love letters, skype, and immigration.
The process has been challenging, the distance has been demanding, and the paperwork has been exhausting.
Still, everyday he wakes me with a smile, and reminds me that it's all worth it

So, this report will be different.
Jamaica, for me, is no longer about the beaches and rivers and food.
Jamaica for me, has become about my family, our love, and the struggle to be together...
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[diabolical_Tanya]

Re: A September to Remember

[Bandana]

Re: A September to Remember

<span style="font-size: 11pt">We kept hoping this time he’d get through… this time he’ll get approved, this time we have a chance…
But in June of 2010 after yet another denial from the embassy in Kingston, I bought a ticket back to JA.
One seat, infant in lap, she’s 5 months old and has never seen her father…
He’s 3000 miles away, and has never held his first born child.
We start counting the days to September, and I start contacting my congressman…
Lord, this immigration &quot;tape&quot; is choking me…

In the end of July I get a letter from Congress.

The gist: Your Fiancé Visa is dead… get married, and maybe you’ll have a chance…

I wanted to wait and plan a grand affair for our anniversary on New Years Day.
He wanted to just do it. We’ve already waited so long…

That logic was something that could not be denied, and so I agreed…

and had less than 40 days to plan a Wedding!
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[Skelly]

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[Ochigal]

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SEEEEE...I knew I picked the right day to come back to ja.com....BANDANAS trip report....YAY!!!!!!!!

[Bandana]

Re: A September to Remember

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">All Things Come Together </span>

It is amazing to me, as I look back on the month of August how everything just fell into place...
The hotel, the clothes, the minister, the vows...
I guess that when things are meant to be, they will be.

The one thing I agonized over was Imanni...

Since his father got wind of our immigration problems he had made his presence known. Probably for fear that I would move to Jamaica with our son, and I understand. However, he was not going to let our little man go to JA at all, and it was killing me. My ring bearer was missing, and I was afraid that he would remember this time as a time when his momma was gone from him, instead of a happy memory of a promise of a new life.

One week before we were due to leave, Imanni convinced his father to let him go. Elated, I started looking at airfare, and my hopes sank...
There was no way I could come up with that kind of money and still have funds to feed us while we were there
But God works in mysterious ways, and due to the kindness of my family, my friends, and some people whom I have never laid eyes on, Imanni had a ticket!

Three tickets, two seats, two kids, and all things were truly coming together...

Charlotte Airport, awaiting our connection...


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[Bandana]

Re: A September to Remember

<span style="font-size: 11pt">I am now a firm believer that the Moby Wrap is one of the coolest inventions ever!


Miss Lilla was secure and content strapped to me the whole time, she did not make a peep




</span>

[Bandana]

Re: A September to Remember

<span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">He had her from &quot;hello&quot; </span>

The whole time we were flying, all I could do was think about seeing him, and how Lilla was going to react to seeing her father for the first time. She does not take well to people she's never met before, and even tho he's spent hours staring at her through the computer screen, I'm not sure she knows it is a real person in there, let alone that it's her Daddy...

But, apparently I worry sometimes for no reason at all

Yes, he had her from &quot;hello&quot; and she barely let him put her down the whole 2 weeks we were there.

He did not seem to mind one bit







He brought a hat for each of the kids, and we had a happy trip up to the land where he was born and his mother born before him...







</span>

[Bandana]

Re: A September to Remember

[ILP]

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k...now that mi ketch up, you can proceed Bandit.

[missus_vegas]

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[Diplomat]

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The &quot;little man&quot; looks more and more like you as he gets older. Good stuff

Congratulations on the nuptials

[dr. bones]

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I came back to the site just in time. Yippee....can't wait to hear the whole story.

[Laurel]

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[Compry]

Re: A September to Remember

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bandanna</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
</div></div>

I love this pic...so much