Becoming American

I feel in order to understand someone, you have to know a bit about their past. So let me share with you a day that was one of the most important days in my life.

I don’t know how to tell this story without going deep into my past and visiting places that maybe should be best left off the web. You see years…almost 11 years ago to be exact, I started a journey that would ultimately hold the key to my current success, or at least be my passport to America, literally.

I didn’t con anyone into marrying me so that I could become an American citizen, in retrospect that would have probably been easier for me. 😛 No, I did it the raw, real life way. It was long and hard, and I almost gave up so many times. But I don’t want to focus on that because, it doesn’t matter where I came from, only where I’m going.

When I finally got my passport in the mail, I could not stop staring at it, flipping through the pages, smelling it like it was a brand new book. ❤ All the things that I went through in the years didn’t matter anymore, I was finally holding my ticket to freedom. My diamond in the rough. I didn’t even know how badly I wanted that passport until I was holding it in my hand knowing that as an American, my gypsy soul was finally able to travel any country that I wanted, that I dreamed of. I was finally free.

You think the day that I got my nationalization certificate…you know the day you “actually become American” would have more significance to me, but it didn’t. It was actually kind of a bitter sweet day that held tears, joys and memories better left forgotten. This was a journey that I had embarked on so many years ago ending in a place and way I would have never thought and me being a person I only imagined and dreamed.

I showed up for my moment as I always have in life…alone.

Everything ran rather smoothly, I arrived at my appointment early and there was already a long line. When I finally got inside, I partially wet but slightly ecstatic to finally be at the end of a journey I thought would never end. I wondered if the 2,000+ other people in the room had waited as long as I had and felt as excited as I did.

I found a seat farthest away from everyone and waited for the ceremony to start. Ironically, my ex started texting me (there is usually zero to no communication between us)…which of course brought so many memories and feelings I wish would be left in a box hidden away on a shelf never to be remembered. Maybe that’s why it was a little less enjoyable. 😦 Either way, we got through the national anthem and the pledge of allegiance pretty fast and I waited ever so patiently for my color to be called.

YELLOW was announced over the speaker and I got in the line to be handed my certificate. I’ve never gotten college degree, nor have I been to public school where I got handed certificates for accomplishments, so I don’t exactly know what feeling you get when you get handed a certificate you worked your butt off for 4-6 years; but the joy I felt being handed a certificate with my name on it, proof that I survived the last 11 plus years of my life and had something to show for it was…BEYOND AMAZING! I’ll never forget it. ❤

I tried to take a picture with the seal of justice, but by the time I was done getting my social fixed they had closed down the line. 😦

I got to work to find that all my co-workers had decorated my office and got me a cake. Ya’ll, I’ve never been surprised…but that day I definitely was. I guess I never thought anyone would notice my accomplishments, but sometimes people have a way of showing you that they care. ❤

My kids finally have their passport and this journey is officially done. 🙂 I have gotten everything I wanted, exactly as I wanted. And I have zero regrets. ❤ The world is a place to be discovered and life is too short to stuck in one country.

My hipsy soul has been held captive for too long. So here’s to being American…and finally being totally and completely FREE to travel the world.

Now to wait for the travel ban to lift… 🙂

A.A.