The line of red lights stretched far ahead as we waited to exit the parking lot. We had just witnessed another spectacular, mind-bending show by Cirque’s talented performers. Absentmindedly, I perused the new emails on my iPhone. I clicked on one entitled Case Status Information. Thinking it was just another spam email with an intriguing offer for cheap prescription drugs, I almost passed it by. But a few words caught my attention: “Petition for Fiancé. Approval Notice Sent.”

Could this be real? Did someone send me an early April Fool’s joke? Was I really reading that Geoffroy’s visa application had been approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services?

I was stunned into silence for several minutes. Weren’t we supposed to wait at least another four, possible 16, months for approval? Geoffroy was talking to Mom about the show, but I couldn’t even hear them. My mind was racing trying to figure out how this miracle was possible so soon.

Finally I interrupted Geoffroy’s monologue. “Honey, do you want some good news?” He too was shocked into complete silence. I had always imagined us jumping up and down and yelling when we got the news. But perhaps because it came so unexpectedly, we were simply in awe.

But just because we have approval doesn’t mean he can just stay. I wish that was the case, but we still have some waiting to do. Our approval has been sent to the Department of State National Visa Center where the visa will be processed. The Department then notifies the US Embassy in Paris. Geoffroy will need to make an appointment with the Embassy, which could take another three to six months. So we’re back to playing the waiting game.

But now the game is a little easier to handle, now that we know Geoffroy is on his way!

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