Day 6 of 365: Done. And. Done.

Step one...completed. Matt and I arrived on Holliday Street in Birmingham shortly before 1pm today. We paid the meter and walked on to the registry office (above) . A man called Steve conducted our "interview." He asked us questions about where we were from and if we had been married before and managed to get a chuckle out of us both when he asked if we were related in any way. Forgetting I was "not in Kansas anymore" I made a reference that I was from Ohio and not West Virginia. Steve didn't laugh. He explained how giving notice was similar to that of Banns in a religious ceremony and that it was strictly a formality to give notice of our intention for marriage and then wait a period of 16 clear days before we can marry. This is to allow anyone objecting to our union to plea their case -- for instance, if they discovered Matt's secret underground harem. Shhhh!



It took about 45 minutes in all for Steve to hand-write all our information, ask us more questions, and make photocopies of our documents. Apparently I passed the test on whether or not I was a true American by the way I sign my name. Matt signed his first initial, last name...mine was first name, middle initial, last name (more neatly than Matt, I might add). The other example Steve used for signature format was 'George W. Bush.' To be honest, I was nervous to be so closely associated with the President...even if it was just for example.
(Note: Please, no jokes/comments about the President. I'd like to keep this blog lighthearted and fun.)

So, we're all set now and all we have left to do is confirm an available date with Dudley Register Office. We're both very excited. I can't wait!!

Also...I'm not good at sticking to JUST ONE picture for each day (if you haven't noticed).

Day 4 of 365: Game on!

With the help of his trusty side-kick, Myst (fat cat to the right), Matt carefully scans the map to make his next strategic move. Who would have thought a video game could be so elaborate and require keen map-reading skills. I guess Grand Theft Auto's not all about bitches and hoes after all.

Also, we received a bit of good news today! Below you will see our reaction after said "good news."


We're even happier than the photo portrays. One of the main reasons is we've been dealing with a lot of extra stress lately on top of worrying about getting things sorted for getting married and then me getting my FLR(M) (Further Leave to Remain for Marriage) -- which is basically an extension on my 6 month Fiancé visa that allows me to continue living in the UK for 2 more years, but also gives me permission to work. It basically costs a liver or kidney (maybe even one's first born) to pay for this special extension/permission. And now a bit of a weight has been lifted as we are finally making our first of two big trips to Birmingham --this one will be to give notice of marriage at the register office on Monday. From there we must contact our local registrar in Dudley to book the wedding, and then wait 17 days before we can get married. Once we're married, we get to go back to Birmingham to apply in person for my FLR(M) and hopefully walk out that same day with approval. It will cost more to do it in person, but at the risk of sending it through the post and having to wait an additional 8+ weeks to work, it will pay for itself once I'm working.

With that in mind, we are two VERY happy and grateful bunnies right now. Everything is finally falling into place.