Alex and Rachel met in Irkutsk, Russia in 2002. For eight months, we were a class of two, taking Russian lessons from a teacher named Raisa who was, let’s say, colorful. (Raisa had a dog named Sharik, the namesake of Rachel's little Sharik.) We developed a close friendship. We traveled together in Poland and Germany in the years following Irkutsk, although then too many years slipped by. We reconnected on what turned out to be a romantic getaway to Turkmenistan in 2018. Raisa used to joke that she thought we’d get together — turns out she was right.

To begin our life together in the United States, Alex (a German citizen) is entering on a K-1 "Fiancé" visa. The process is a long one. We applied in November 2018, and we are on track to get the visa issued in summer 2019. Our marriage will then take place within 90 days of him entering the United States, at which point we can file to get him a temporary "green card" and a work permit. In a few years, to adjust Alex to a permanent status and begin the citizenship process, we will have to provide evidence of our marriage and relationship. Thus, someday soon, Alex and Rachel will happily show a US immigration officer pictures of our small wedding celebration. Thank you so much for being part of our lives and sharing in our joy. We’re excited to show you off to the US government.