Because I have ridiculously wonderful friends who love on me so thoroughly and extravagantly {and who are wildly fluent at speaking my love language}, and who – just this afternoon, over a playdate at McDonalds – celebrated my upcoming citizenship transition.
Gorgeously aromatic blooms, in red, white and blue…handmade red and blue bracelets…an American flag…and a handmade card reading: “Welcome to the dark side”.
See…I told you He loves me!
And, because I was interviewed by a surprisingly warm military man yesterday during the second-to-last step of this painfully long and expensive naturalization process. After devouring my test prep book and discovering all sorts of interesting nuggets about this beautiful country’s government and political systems, we trekked down to D-town, sat through a long and thorough interrogation interview, and I was congratulated and “recommended for United States citizenship.
{phew}
I was expecting this next step to take weeks, or even months. But no. Next week it is!
On Monday, March 28th, I will hand over my beloved Namibian passport and my {less-loved} Alien Registration Card, raise my right hand, and take the United States Oath of Allegiance.
While I’m delighted and proud to be a part of this incredible country {and it’s phenomenally rich history I have been soaking in over the past few weeks), my feelings remain mixed.
As I tried to explain to my hubby last night…this relationship is moving way too fast for me! I was just getting used to the proposal, and now we’re getting married next week. I’m not sure I’m ready to say goodbye to my other love!
But, as I continue to mull it over, and the more I strip back the reality of my pride and insecurity, the more I realize just how little my true identity and uniqueness lies in that small green book.
It’s a precious part of who I am, yes – and a massive part of my history – but it does not define me, nor does it give me my value.
{“Glory!”}
Reason# 3,258…there was a Trader Joe’s on the way home from Detroit, and we stocked up!
