Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Sep 1st 2015, 3:54 am
#1
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Oakland
Posts: 664
Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Hey everyone
I felt compelled to pop in and let you all know how thankful I am for this forum, and this topic specifically. I took my oath of citizenship a couple of weeks ago in Oakland, CA - my adoptive home town - and I thought about the folks on here often during the ceremony.
My own journey never got all that tricky - just a couple of years of livin^H^H^H^H^H visiting Scotland with my conditional green card before returning to California with my USC wife and newborn mid-2009. But the advice that people on this forum offered was always bang-on, helping this clueless nerd make the right decisions along the way.
After returning to California I logged on rarely, trying to help a little here and there. Then I drifted away all together, focused on raising a family and my career. Earlier this year I logged back in to check on the N-400 requirements and investigate the UK's citizenship policy for children born abroad. No need to post, these were basic questions that had been asked and answered a dozen times already.
It was hugely comforting to see many of the same folks from 6 years prior (answering the same questions apparently). This is a truly beautiful and special corner of the internet that only exists because of the selfless dedication of a cadre of informed and committed members.
A special thanks to ian-mstm (the most helpful sanctimonious prick I'll ever encounter), jeffreyhy (JEff!), poppygirl, noorah101, hobbes79, meauxna, rete, snowbunny, secret garden, paul s. And of course smart-ass mrfolinsky. You are all amazing, beautiful people. Lang may yer lum reek!
Here's me on the oath day, I wore a suit, got a tiny american flag and a lump in my throat - the whole package:
I felt compelled to pop in and let you all know how thankful I am for this forum, and this topic specifically. I took my oath of citizenship a couple of weeks ago in Oakland, CA - my adoptive home town - and I thought about the folks on here often during the ceremony.
My own journey never got all that tricky - just a couple of years of livin^H^H^H^H^H visiting Scotland with my conditional green card before returning to California with my USC wife and newborn mid-2009. But the advice that people on this forum offered was always bang-on, helping this clueless nerd make the right decisions along the way.
After returning to California I logged on rarely, trying to help a little here and there. Then I drifted away all together, focused on raising a family and my career. Earlier this year I logged back in to check on the N-400 requirements and investigate the UK's citizenship policy for children born abroad. No need to post, these were basic questions that had been asked and answered a dozen times already.
It was hugely comforting to see many of the same folks from 6 years prior (answering the same questions apparently). This is a truly beautiful and special corner of the internet that only exists because of the selfless dedication of a cadre of informed and committed members.
A special thanks to ian-mstm (the most helpful sanctimonious prick I'll ever encounter), jeffreyhy (JEff!), poppygirl, noorah101, hobbes79, meauxna, rete, snowbunny, secret garden, paul s. And of course smart-ass mrfolinsky. You are all amazing, beautiful people. Lang may yer lum reek!
Here's me on the oath day, I wore a suit, got a tiny american flag and a lump in my throat - the whole package:
Sep 1st 2015, 4:45 am
#2
MODERATOR
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Awww, congratulations! 
Rene
Rene
Sep 1st 2015, 12:28 pm
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Sep 1st 2015, 8:43 pm
#4
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 17
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Lovely, just starting my journey. Congratualtions!
Sep 1st 2015, 11:59 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 64
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Congratulations!
Sep 2nd 2015, 5:08 am
#6
`
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 38,613
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Good one and very many congratulations to you. Well deserved and a happy day.
It's so kind to think to pop back and share like that.
regards
BEVS
It's so kind to think to pop back and share like that.
regards
BEVS
Sep 2nd 2015, 6:38 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: Paphos Cyprus
Posts: 1,833
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Well done that man for thanking all who helped you on your journey.
Sep 2nd 2015, 5:18 pm
#8
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Congrats!
It's always nice to hear how things work out for people
It's always nice to hear how things work out for people
Sep 7th 2015, 9:06 pm
#9
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
Re: Huge Thank You! from an old-timer
Congratulations. I remember my husband's swearing in ceremony many years ago and he had the same grin on his face.
