Hello JAMFAM!! Hope that everyone is well and those still waiting that there process is nearing an end. I am happy and ecstatic to report that Mr THOR finally landed on Saturday, January 17th!!! The entire process since we got sponsorship approval to landing took 15 months and 5 days!!
The Lead Up....
Our ECAS went to "in process" on November 6th. We received PPR on December 3rd and he sent it in the next day. His passport got to POS on December 8th (bc of the weekend and it did take 2 business days to go to POS). We sent the PP to POS via FedEx and I set up an account for fedex so that we can provide a return waybill. We thought for sure he will be here for Christmas but POS had something else in mind. I did email them after a week and they emailed back to say that "they are working in a timely manner". So when we did not have the passport back by December 22nd I booked a flight for December 30th to go to JA to spend NYE with him. All the while I was there we were hoping and praying that we would have word that his PP would return in time for him to come home with me on January 10th. I returned on the 10th heart broken and sad. The next day Sunday 11th I half heartedly checked ECAS and was shocked and ecstatic to see we had gone to DECISION MADE...I did laugh hysterically bc of course it would happen the day after I returned. After waiting on pins and needles and checking fedex almost hourly on Wednesday, January 14th our fedex waybill went LIVE so then the tracking began. The PP made it to MoBay on Thursay afternoon and he picked up his PP on Friday 16th!!
The Landing Story...
Let me start by saying that Saturday, January 17th was the longest day E V E R....lol! He was booked on the 3:21 pm Westjet flight from MBJ to YYZ. He was packed and all ready to go for weeks with just a few last minute things to get together. He got to airport at Round noon and had a sad and teary eyed goodbye with his family. I assured his mom and sister that he will be in good hands here. He said that checking in and going through security was not a problem. He waited impatiently at gate for flight to leave and we spoke a few dozen times all day including when he was on the plane. He was nervous but excited as well. I was tracking the flight the whole way and was a nervous wreck waiting for him to land!! I got to the airport and his flight landed 10 minutes late. He had an entourage of my family and friends waiting for him as well and they were keeping me calm. I had booked his seat right at the front of the plane so think that helped him get through faster bc he came through those doors 40 minutes after the flight landed!!! I thought for sure it would be at least an hour. Phew good thing I didn't go later...hahaha! I told him to get off the plane and follow the crowd and look for the customs signs. He said ther was no line up for customs and then he went to secondary immigration to "LAND". They asked him a few questions....my name, where his canada address will be, has he ever been convicted of a crime, wedding date, etc. then they stamped his COPR (he had 2 copies one with pic and 1 without and they returned the one without the picture). They told him that he can go get his SIN at service canada bc they were not doing it that night. Not sure if it was bc it was late or a weekend? The officer then said the magic words "Welcome To Canada Mr THOR". Omg I teared up when he told me that part. FINALLY he comes strolling out those doors and we hugged and kissed and held each other for about 5 minutes until the entourage became impatient...lol! He hugged family and friends and I will admit that I couldn't stop smiling and holding his hand. We had brought him a very warm coat, scarf and gloves and headed out into r cold. Oh wait not until my brother in law bought him a Tim Hortons coffee in the airport bc nothing says Canada like a Timmies..haha! We headed home and had champagne, drinks and snacks waiting for us all. Everyone left after a while and I got to show him his new HOME!!! Suffice it to say that we are both so happy to finally be together and beginning the new chapter of our lives.
The Post Landing...
Sunday we slept in, went for a walk around the neighborhood, grocery shopping and just being together. Monday we went to get his SIN which was easy. Service Ontario to get him his photo ID and apply for OHIP nut you need something with his new address on it. So went to bank to get him a new bank account and they will mail him a statement and then we will go back to Service Omtario to try again. Shopping yesterday for a new coat and boots butit is slim pickings! This week I am fortunate enough to be home with him and we are sure will be bombarded with family and friends who want to see him and meet him.
Thank you my JAMFAM for all your support and encouraging words. This process was truly helped by you all. God Bless...
Cheers,
Mrs and Mr THOR
Nice landing story. You had me in tears, imagining what I will do when my time comes. congrats to you and hubby. much blessings on this new chapter in your life.
