How I got my US visa

So from the title you probably already understand. I got the visa. But actually this story could land differently.

I’d heard so many stories about how hard it is to get, so this was really a good exercise in managing expectations and being in the present moment. I should have read and prepared better before going, but for some reason I just told myself: if I get it, that’s good. If I get rejected for some reason, that’s okay too. I can’t really prove I’m a good person to go there, haha.

So I prepared myself for rejection. First, because many of my single friends got rejected. Second, because I didn’t have any bookings or flights, I have only idea of a trip in mind. I set myself up for the worst.

So the day came. It was early morning, I took my laptop with me. That was my first mistake. No laptops or even bags allowed inside. So I had to find a place to leave all my stuff. Thankfully there was a bus station nearby, so I left my bag in a locker. And there was a funny moment with that too. I put my bag with all my money inside the box and then realized I didn’t have any coins to lock it 😁

The security guy said no problem if I missed my time slot, just to be quick. When I came back, I was the last person that day.

I have to wait. I keep thinking about that wait as something special. When was the last time you stood in a queue without your phone, a book, or a friend? When was the last time you just stood with all your thoughts, doing nothing, in a very hot room full of cameras?

So when it was my turn, I was calm. The lady asked me normal questions about my life and my reason for going to the US. Then there was a question I hesitated on, because I’d completely forgotten about this part of my life. She asked it with a hint at the end of the sentence. Have you ever tried illegally crossing the border, and been denied entry to the US? I said no, never, but…

Then I remembered this stupid, funny story. Last year I went to Niagara Falls with my son from the Canadian side. There was a small turn before the city that ended up on a bridge with one way traffic toward the US border. There was no way to turn back. I didn’t even have my son’s passport. It was such a ridiculous situation, and technically a violation. I felt at ease when the US officer said this happens a few times every day. They registered the case and escorted us back to Canada.

So, holding back laughter and embarrassment, I told her the whole story. And I got approved.