Rain Falling Softly on the Windowpane

I love YOU Umair Meri Shohar!

The rain falling down cold outside on our windowpane

I’m sitting here missing you again

I ache for you in ways impossible to describe

I sit here waiting for people to get up off their ass and schedule our interview 

So my husband can be by my side

It’s hard to believe in fourteen days, we have been married a year

I love you more and more each day

Our love story began 957-ish days ago 

I love you Umair , meri shohar!

Have loved you 82,684,800-ish seconds, 1,378,080 minutes-ish, and 22,968-ish hours

But I will love you for eternity

Times Infinity 

All that there is and beyond 

Every second of loving you makes me love you even more 

The rain outside is cold, beating on our windowpane, and I sit here missing you 

Needing you 

Wanting you home where you belong 

I am hoping and waiting for our interview letter to arrive today and every single day

Hoping and praying for all the families also waiting in lines 

And for people to do their jobs to bring families together!

Families together!
I sit here listening to the rain fall softly on our windowpane

I sit here needing you, aching for you again!

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Cataclysmic

Umair is a beautiful cataclysmic catalyst 

He is love 

He is light 

He is the glue that pulls and holds his family together 

He is funny

He is charming

He is faithful in so many ways

Faithful to Allah

Faithful to his family and friends 

He is the glue that holds us together 

He holds the hurt caused by others and feels that hurt along with them

I have watched him ache for pains that were not for him to have to bear

I love his heart

I love our life 

I love everything we have experienced and endured 

I love our forever 

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Treasure your Christmas Wishes

Did you know

Did you hear my confessions

Each and every day

I whispered, them off into the wind UmAIR, my air 

My heart 

I am entirely yours 

Every word spoken 

Uttered 

They are only for you 

Did you hear me utter the words meant only for your heart

Deep in the night 

You are my love 

You are my life 

You are my breath 

You mean so much to me 

I ache to hold you tenderly 

And fiercely, all at the same time 

I love you 

You complete me 

You have my heart forever 

Janna and eternally 

I don’t want to imagine anything that isn’t you and I 

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Cherish Your Christmas Wishes

My Christmas wish 

Is the same ifs always been 

See More 

Feel More 

Love Deeper

Care More 

It’s not a package wrapped up beautifully under the tree 

It’s my heart 

My love 

I give freely 

Give yours to the people in your life

Be present 

Love More 

Listen with your heart

Hear the words not spoken but emanate from the hearts of those who love you 

Don’t take more than you give

Live deeply 

Appreciate all you have 

Hear me appreciate what you have 

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Christmas Eve Wishes & Warm Roti

Umair tells me beautiful stories of life growing up in the village. As he shared these delightful treasures with me, I thought I needed to take them and elevate the stories so we always have them. I love his stories of how much Ami loved him. Umair told me how Ami would make him warm roti (bread) (delicious bread), and if they were not to his specifications, she would make them yummier and toastier for him. Once he was satisfied, Ami placed the roti on Umair’s plate. I love the story of her love and devotion to her children. I love Umair and don’t think I even show the world how much I adore his heart and our life together—Merry Christmas, everyone, for those who don’t hold the person they love tonight. Because you are waiting for a Christmas immigration miracle, I’m sending you love and sparkle. 

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Twas the Night Before

This poem is, as always, written for my husband, Umair, but also for all the other immigrant families waiting and for one special family Umair connected with in Muscat, Oman. Sebastian, and Ophelia, who are also waiting for their daddy to come home for his first Christmas in America!

‘‘Twas the night before …

‘‘Twas the night before …

Twas the night before waiting for our CR1 interview letter to arrive, I hoped for what seems like the billion-trillion millionth night

All my letters had been written to representatives, governors, and even the White House. Heck, I have even written to the Embassy, and you guessed it, that was ignored, too! It wasn’t enough that my mother died and our family needed to be together and that is supposed to matter! Just like every other immigrant family needs too!

I guess that only qualifies if you sneak in the back door illegally. For those of us following the letter of the law, it doesn’t mean a thing! 

And now all of the stockings have been hung by the mantle with care with hopes that year and every year, I hope that my husband will be able to be here.

During this season, my favorite time of year, the world glistens and sparkles, and I’m holding out for care, kindness, and cheer. I’m holding out for a Christmas miracle! One sent by a jolly elf and eight tiny reindeer!

I send my wishes up and out to all the immigrant couples waiting patiently in the line. I pray that each of them will get their CR1 interview on time! We don’t cheat the system but wait with tears that glisten on our cheeks, knowing we won’t get to hold our loved one sweetly as we drift off to sleep!

Or snuggle closely inside our bed. I close my eyes, and he will open his, 

My wish is the same that it has been every year to hold my husband close

It’s all I need

His hand in mine 

My head on his chest 

I love him

For visions of sugar plums dancing delightfully in our heads!

While my husband won’t wear a kerchief , and I won’t wear a cap either 

We are nearly 8000 miles apart. I can only hope that that ripe, jolly old elf hears the wishes of all the immigrant families waiting in the line. Remember each of us are immigrants we did not begin our families journey on this land but came hoping for freedom and dreams to come true!

So, while you sip your eggnog and cocoa and hold your loved one close, remember there are many of us waiting for our wish to come true every year! That someone cut through the paperwork and gets our interviews done and dusted, our passports stamped, and our loved ones home before the cookies are all gone and the hot cocoa is cold! 

Merry Christmas everyone everywhere may all your Christmas wishes be magical and your heart filled with joy! Make the world a little brighter everyday by sharing your love and joy!

I love you, baby!

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Love Letters to My Husband, Soft Whispers in the Wind

Roses come in various colors and hues 

Violets are sometimes, although not often, blue

There are not enough words or ways 

To express all the ways that I love you 

I love you a kajillion trillion times infinity 

All the stars in the heavens have heard my heart and wishes each night

I love you, Umair 

I need you even more 

I can’t wait for you to get your A$$ home and through the door

I love you more and more every single day 

You fill my heart with such love

You have faced every obstacle with ease 

You genuinely define “Sabar Sabar” so much more than me

You protect me 

You treasure my heart

You listen to my mushy gushy mushmellon 

I count each minute. Is there really any more I need to say 

I say it every single month, so I decided for this month to wish and whisper to the skies 

And hope it would be carried off in the wind to your ears from me 

I love you, baby

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster

Love Letters to My Husband, My Vow

We had our beautiful Pakistani ceremony with my Pakistani family. I adore

We were incredibly short on time, but I cannot wait for our return trips home to Pakistan together, and I look forward to Walima with my husband in tradition 

But to honor a bit of my culture, I would like to add

On this, 7 days before our 11-month wedding anniversary 

I take you, Umair, my heart and soul 

I promise, Umair, I will always take care of your needs, not out of any obligation but out of devotion and because it delights my heart to see you joyous, 

I choose you, Umair, to be my husband, I vow to love, honor, and treasure you 

I vow to trust and respect you, Umair

I vow to love you on the good days and even more on the bad ones

I vow to love you in health and even more profoundly and sweetly in sickness

I promise I choose you every day 

I promise to choose you precisely the same way for the rest of my life! 

I promise to make every effort we have endured and to carry it forward for the rest of our lives 

I promise we will sparkle together and hold each other tightly into forever, and I hold your spicy, extra sexy, extra close to my heart and soul! 

I promise you, making your ears wiggle and your eyebrows dance makes my heart melt 

Falling more and more in love with you 

I promise always to love when you talk to me in Urdu 

I promise it will always make me melt like butter in a pan 

You have my heart

You have my soul 

You are my everything

I am so proud you are my husband in every possible way 

That’s forever 

That’s yesterday

That’s today 

It’s tomorrow and forever 

I love you, Umair, yesterday, today, tomorrow, and for always 

#umairs, #nvc, #jakemoran, #usembassymuscat

Love Letters to My Husband, Tick Tock

Tick tock

Tick tock 

Listen to the whir of the clock 

On the wall

Listen for the sounds of every holiday 

All the joy in everyone’s hearts 

Hear them all

They hold their loved ones near

We wait for the moments 

That EVERYONE else gets freely

All of them

I lay here wishing Umair you were home

932ish days, WE have been waiting for our turn in line 

Anniversaries 

Birthdays

Christmas’s

New Year too,

Easter 

And EID 

We even held each other as closely as we could as Mom smiled softly at us

She shared her jokes with us

And softly and sweetly 

Left this earth for Janna and gained her angel wings 

Although she told us she had worked it all out with Allah, feathers were optional 

Tick tock

Tick tock 

Listening now to the beat of my heart 

It races each and every day for only you 

My heart races for the moment you climb on a plane and come home to me 

You are my forever 

My husband and you mean everything to me 

#travel, #kindness, #gratitude, #chasingmysparkle, #loved, #Umair, #fyp, #marriedlife, #writer #lighttheworld, #smallbusiness, #nature, #Smile, #Family, #Life, #Fun, #Girl, #sun, #Moon, #stars, #Landscape, #Amazing, #NoFilter, #InstaMood, #Sunsets, #Sunrise, #AForestOfWords, #Cool, #Swag, #Night, #HappyBirthday, #missingumair, #uscis, #whitehouse, #jakemoran, #jakelaturner, #nvc,#johnbass, #nvc,#johnbass, #CounterpointPress, #TinHouseBooks, #SmallBeerPress, #immvi, #Hachettlivre, #BOAEditions, #CoffeeHousePress, #SevenStoriesPress, #DundurnPress, #MacmillanPublishers, #Simon&Schuster