If I asked you to prove you love someone, could you do it? Yes, you might show me emails, hand-written love letters, little gifts given and received, and a handful of photos taken recently. But does that really prove that you love someone? Does it truly represent how strongly you feel about them?

This is exactly what I’m trying to do for the US Government. I’ve recently learned that fiancé visas (the type we are applying for) can be rejected because there’s not enough proof of a solid relationship. How do I prove that I love Geoffroy and he loves me? Sure we can gather our Skype records, text messages, and cards, but to someone who knows nothing about us, does it prove we love each other?

Trying to deliver concrete proof of something that I feel in my heart, body and mind is challenging. I can put it into words, write it down on a piece of paper, sing a song, or make a video, but I wonder if that truly captures what I feel inside? I know beyond a question of a doubt and so does he. But how to you take a feeling, an emotion or a thought and turn it into a piece of paper or a photograph?

Yes, it may seem a little odd that we have to justify our relationship. But then I try to stand in the shoes of the US Immigration department. They have thousands of applications sitting on their desks right now, telling a hundred unique stories. How can they be 100% certain that these black and white pages truly represent a loving and committed relationship? Some people aren’t as great at telling stories as others, yet they may have a love that goes beyond borders. Does that mean their love is any less valuable than the other applications?

And how does the immigrations department know when two people are really in love? Manufacturing photos, letters, a phone conversations isn’t that challenging. The government doesn’t even talk to either party before deciding yes or no. Do the immigration officials have a gut instinct too? One that tells them, “Ah ha! These people really love each other!”

The path to true love has never been an easy one. But it is one that I whole-heartedly follow until Geoffroy can be here with me. How do I know that I love him? I just know.

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