Best Christmas Gift of 2007

I don't generally make plans for Christmas. I'm very much the sort of person who does their shopping the day before, if they can help it. At best, I might order a few things on amazon.com, and consider myself well-prepared. This year, however, it was rather lucky I didn't bother to make any plans, because they would have ended up going out the window.

Last month, after a wait of about eighteen months, and an engagement of over five years, I was finally given an appointment date with the US Embassy, to apply for my fiance visa. Despite the huge buildup, costs and stress, the actual interview was more like a cosy fireside chat than the sort of stern interrogation you come to expect from US Immigrations officials, and it was granted. Granted with a certain exhibition of pleasure, I might even say. Five days later, my passport is back in the post, and I have carte blanche to enter the US and get married.

I'd like to say it was simply that straightforward. I did indeed land in MIssouri on December 1^st, And we were married by the 4^th. It turns out, unbeknownst to us, naturally, that the forms we now have to file to pay for permanent residency are going to cost us something like $1400. With me not being able to work until they give me a greencard, this is effectively all my savings.

With that in mind, we haven't actually bought each other any Christmas presents yet. Although we will most likely be going out shopping this weekend and pick something up for each other. At this point, I don't think most people would bother, but we're not terribly religious, and neither of us are that bothered about receiving gifts late, or at all. The thought counts, after all.

I'm particularly not worried, though. I've gotten exactly what I want for Christmas. I'm in the country I want to be in along with my wife, Who is, I might add, the most remarkable person I've ever met; witty, wise and gorgeous. I've finally been able to marry my best friend, I've been able to spend Christmas with her, and with my cats.

I don't think there's anything containable in wrapping paper that can beat that.