I am here...which is relative, I know. I apologise.
I am in New York, I am with Krissa.
That was nearly seven months of separation, and the last stint was over two calendar months. That was less than fun, all told.
So I live here now. The last few days have been glorious - glorious in repose, glorious in the startling lack of crippling jetlag, glorious in love...
I arrived on Thursday night, and was shown through immigration control with humour and decency, and the long-awaited uncertain ground about temporary work permits was cleared up. The impression Krissa and I had from different accounts and hearsay, the majority of it through the encyclopaedic and friendly Visa Journey, was that the issuing of work permits at JFK, the only airport that issues them at the point of entry rather than leaving it to the two-month-long application after marriage, was rare and becoming rarer. Not wanting to seem crass, I approached the subject with British tact, reserve and in a roundabout way.
"So I hear that you do a small line in work permits here?"
"Yeah, why, do you want one?"
"Yeah!"
So that's good.
Because I had been delayed through immigration, all my wonderful fellow passengers (including the sweet-looking yet violently flatulent grandmother who sat next to me) had hightailed it with all the baggage trolleys. So after playing the bumbling Englishman to speed through customs (I know I said I wouldn't, but come on, I was tired) I had to struggle through a couple of pairs of double doors before rounding into a long white corridor.
There, at the end of the thin polished marble floor stood the love of my life, my future wife, and she started to walk towards me. I put down all of my bags as she reached me, and we kissed.
We were reprimanded for kissing in the arrivals channel by a big woman who stuck her head out through the doors behind me, but we didn't care. We stole a trolley from the flatulent grandmother when she wasn't looking (not really), and ran off to get a cab back to Astoria.
The last few days have passed in a haze of coffee and kissing. Yesterday we left the apartment for the city and took a trip to the second floor of Tiffany's to buy our wedding rings.
My parents are getting used to waiting five hours after a civilised weekend waking time before calling us.
Today is my twenty-fifth birthday.
... and a very happy birthday!
Congratulations you chaps, and
Let the good times roll ...
Did you have eye of a tiger playing?
happy birthday! and I'm so happy for you guys - can't wait for another reunion of my own.
congratulations - thats a sweet birthday present.
Oh and happy birthday. Hopefully the next time I see you will be at mine ...
Happy birthday. Funny how airports can change from being dull, drab places you can't wait to get out of, to becoming romantic places for reuniting with loved ones.
Hicky Burpday, i'm guessing this is a good one.. right? ;-)
Well, you could say that. It rates pretty damned highly against previous ones, anyway.
K and I are off to a pizza restaurant, and then onto a party of her friend's, somewhere in Brooklyn.
Thanks guys, you big bunch of softies.
Oh! Happy Birthday!
You really should have said something before now!
(she says, having done exactly the same thing six weeks ago)
Glad you got there in one piece.
Congrats.
happy birthday, and what a way to celebrate! i am inclined to envy you, even as i am equally as blest with my own someone.
Happy Birthday!
Sounds like things are going well. ;)
Happy birthday . . . and it all sounds, well, (searches for suitable word, gives up) lovely. :-)
a happy birthday, indeed!
WOO!
A *very* happy birthday to you!
yay! woo! kittens!
Still getting my head round this. No, it's no good, my head doesn't go round that far. All I know is that it's awesome! "Dude, you made it!" And a belated happy birthday (sorry, would have sent an iCard but y'know ;). Hope everything is working out well!
Happy Birthday and Congratulations Stuart!
Oh happy, happy day!! And welcome to America, we're really glad you're here!!!
Congratulations on the quarter century! Here's to many more happy returns for you & Ms Krissa.
Happy Birthday! I can feel the joy from here.
When is the film of your life coming out then?
A very happy Birthday to you, dude.
A very happy Birthday to you, dude.
A very happy Birthday to you, dude.
A very happy Birthday to you, dude.
(just so I don't get outdone by Sarah B)
Stu, am so happy for you I just cried real tears! Ecstatic birthday hugs, congrats and get writing that film script...
Congrats Stu, it's a tough decision to make, but its great that you had the support of your family and I am really happy for you.
Well done sir!
paul (now officially in .ie)
all you need is love! (and ten grand a week). Happy Boithday from us chaffinches. XXXXXXX
and a very happy birthday to you both
Happy birthday, erm, 5 days ago.
Bugger, I missed all the action.
I'm so glad it worked out for you guys. I wish you all the best with your new life.