I'm going to offer you some sage advice and I'll expect you're going to ignore it. Doesn't matter to me if you do anyway but maybe you'll consider it. Get the face time in before you file the 129. In a couple more trips you'll see her with a better understanding. Trust me. She maybe the woman for you or she may not but you don't have to rush into this like your ass is on fire. You are not saving her from anything and time is on your side. Yeah the immigration laws suck but they are not there for you.
Nine months and 2 more trips minimum could insure a successful relationship or could help you avoid a complete catastrophe. Marriage is a hell of a lot easier to get into than it is to get out of.
Hey I get what you are saying. I did file the 129 today, but I will be meeting her at least 2 more times before she even goes to her interview. I'll be there 4/6-4/14 and will be doing a week in Europe together 5/19-5/25. Those trips are booked and paid for.
If I can I'll go in July as well for maybe 2 weeks.
This will all be probably before even the I-129 gets through the doors. My thought is I can always bail out very easily before we even get to the Kiev part. I mean if she can't get along with my family in May (my mom/dad daughter will be with) then that's a really bad sign.
I totally agree with you about marriage -- been there done that-- if it wasn't for the visa law, I would probably not even be thinking marriage.
At this point, even with the I-129 filing -- aside from a little expense, there's not much risk until she's actually got a K-1 and is flying here. I mean she's invested right now, but that sort of investment we can get over in a few months. But after the K-1 and before she comes here -- that to me the real moment of truth.
I can fly anywhere and meet anyone, no big deal. I'm not moving there, i'll be coming home in a week or two. But for her to pack her stuff in a bag and fly 10,000 KM knowing she will probably not be home for a year, 2 years or more.
I would not let that happen unless it was very right and I saw a real future. I mean the marriage part is just a formality. Packing her life up and leaving everything she knows is a more serious commitment and statement about her love than some wedding vows -- at least to me.
She tattoo'd your name on her hand?
Yes, not a fan usually of tattoos, and she only has one other one. This one gets a pass.