Becoming a new U.S. citizen
This is one of those rare personal posts and I don’t post many of them but I feel like it was such a big deal for me that I want to post about it on my little blog.
September will be my 18th year of living in the U.S. which means I have been living here for almost half of my life or lets say pretty much my entire adult life. Wow, it’s so strange to say this out loud and I know my parents don’t like hearing it. They have really mixed feelings about this subject. When my dad was just here and I talked to him about us possibly wanting to move back to Germany (which he wants more than anything) he had to admit that he isn’t sure I could handle it anymore. He saw how much I had adapted to the life here and how different I have become. He had to admit to himself and me that it would probably be really difficult for me to adapt to a German lifestyle again. German’s are much more private, uptight and not as outgoing as Americans and I think he is right. I would have a really hard time.
I still feel German though but I also feel American. The German government has always required their citizens to choose and dual citizenship is something special to obtain. Like I have mentioned before my immigration lawyer had told me that I wouldn’t get the permission to keep my German citizenship. Thanks to this blog and someone very sweet and special, I received the push and help to pursue it anyways and after applying and paying money, I was so proud to receive permission from the German government to keep my citizenship. This is pretty much why it took me all those years to finally get my American citizenship.
If you follow me on Instagram then you saw already that I passed the citizenship test which was a big deal for me because I was so nervous. Was it difficult? Nope, not really but my anxiety got the best of me when I stood in front of an immigration officer for a verbal test. I’m so glad one of my besties accompanied me and was there to cheer me on when I came out of the office with my thumbs up. She got all teary eyed for strangers people who walked out of the rooms after their tests.
I was happy to tell my friend that I was selected with 14 other immigrants to have my naturalization ceremony at the Phillies baseball game. I’m not a baseball fan at all, I MEAN AT ALL… but baseball is one of the most American things I could think of right? So it was the best way to celebrate becoming an American citizen. And my kids were super excited (well my daughter wasn’t really that excited, she told me I was ruining her life by forcing her to go to a baseball game. She’s very dramatic). But when she was at the game she was having fun and got swept up by all the excitement.
They don’t really ever have a ceremony like this at the Phillies game, it’s rather rare, so it made me feel especially honored to be able to do this.
You can watch a little movie:
My son calling out “mommy” in the video gets me every time. He was so excited!
Each of our countries of origin got called and we had to get up. There were 11 different countries represented.
The deputy major of Philadelphia handed me my ceritficate:
And this is where you can watch the movie above where we got to walk on the field and were announced tho the crowd before the game.
My kids and their second cousins watching me:
In this press release HERE you can read about why they had the ceremony at the Phillies game:
“Recognizing New Citizens: In recognition of Immigrant Heritage Month, US Citizenship and Immigration Services will conduct a Naturalization Ceremony hosted by the Phillies in association with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant and Multicultural Affairs. 15 immigrants will take their oath of citizenship (5:00 p.m., Media Room), and will then be introduced on-field pre-game.”
Now I have to hurry up and get a passport for when I travel to Germany which I will hopefully be able to get on Friday.
I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and the sense of finally belonging has definitely affected me.
I have made so many incredible friends since coming to this country and they have made me feel at home and welcome. And I consider all of you to be part of why I feel at home here and it means so much to me that I can share this moment with you.
Soooo now that’s said, I think I’m going to only post once or twice per week over the summer. We are heading to the beach soon and Germany is coming up too and there just isn’t much DIYing going on. If I have something cool to share I will but I’m not going to force it and talk your ear off about nonsense. It’s better that way, don’t you agree?
Talk to you soon.
Tschüß
(Youleeya)
i am so thrilled for you!! Congrats!!
Thanks so much Krystine
Congratulations, Julia!
Thanks Suzy
Wow! Congrats Julia! I became an American citizen almost four years ago and it it such a relief not to have to deal with Immigration ever again! How special to have your ceremony at a baseball game! I totally get your mixed feelings about moving back to Germany, though. I have lived here for 32 years and while I love to visit Germany, there just isn’t any way I could move back, not permanently, anyway. Just had a talk with my Mom yesterday about how cold it is over there, yuck. I love my American summers! And I totally agree about how uptight people are in Germany. After a few weeks I am always ready to come “home” to Ohio:) Btw, I didn’t need a lawyer and getting a dual citizenship was no problem at all! The rules in that regard are fairly relaxed as long as you can provide some kind of proof of ongoing relations with Germany are concerned. Just figured I’d mention that in case someone else who might be thinking about getting their citizenship is reading this!
I didn’t have the lawyer either. Love my American summers too. So true
This must have been such an exciting occasion! I am so happy for you and your family. Congrats!
Thanks Sarah, I was fighting tears the entire time but I didn’t want to look like a raccoon 😉
I’m so so so proud of you girl! What an amazing blessing 🙂
Thanks Caroline
So happy for you Julia. Loved watching the video. Hope you have a great time down the shore. XO
Thanks Diane, I will kick back and just do nada besides go for walks and catch creatures with my daughter. It’s her favorite thing to do at the beach.
So excited for you!! Congrats! And you look AMAZING in that dress. =)
Oh thank you!
Amazing. And you are stunning!
Oh well thanks so so much Kim
Congrats! What a proud moment!
It certainly was and it made me so happy to see my kids be so proud of me.
Julia,
I cried watching the video! WOW – what an accomplishment! You continue to amaze me every single time I read your blog. You are so unique and have such gifts! Thank you for sharing yourself! Please have a wonderful summer and relax!
A devoted fan,
Kathleen
Oh my gosh Kathleen, you just leave the sweetest comments, gave me goose bumps. I will be planning some new projects over the summer 😉 Have a great summer too.
Congratulations! I have been married to my american husband and living in America for the last 15 years. I think it’s finally time I get my citizenship too! What a cool ceremony!
Yes! Yes you have to! Same rights for you too. Good luck
Congratulations, Julia! I’m so happy for you!
Thanks so much Gwen!
This is so amazing Julia! I’m so happy for you and your family! Glad you went for it and got both! My son is a dual citizen so I’ve dealt with a lot of this and I’m familiar with lots of the red tape. Congrats to you guys!!
Thanks Summer. It’s a lot of paperwork and anxiety to deal with this stuff isn’t it. Lucky for your son that he has dual citizenship too.
Reading this made me tear up and laugh (at your daughter’s comment about baseball, I’m with her!). Congrats Julia, what a special day for you.
Thanks so much Kathy! And you know what, I feel the same way as my daughter but it ended up being perfect for my ceremony even though I’m so not a fan!
You are so awesome. Congrats, friend!
Haha thanks
Congrats Julia, and I got all teary eyed reading your post! Enjoy your Summer at the beach and in Germany and I look forward to reading and seeing all about it when you share!
Awww thanks so much! I will certainly enjoy! Just arrived at the beach after having a very unsuccessful passport appointment. Always amazes me how rude some people can be but it sure won’t ruin my beach time.
Congrats Julia! So happy for you!
Thanks so much Bethany
Congrats, Julia! A real accomplishment. I was able to do it the easy way – I was only two when my parents came to this country from Austria.
Thanks so much! My kids got it the easy way too
Yay! Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your summer 🙂
Congrats!
Congratulations! Enjoy your summer!
Congratulations!! I’m so happy for you! You are the most stylish one of the field!! Love that dress and love you!!
Thanks so much Amber and I love you too!
I realised I hadn’t commented on this so I’m totally late to the party but I just wanted to say a huge congratulations! I had no idea you had been in the US for that long and it sounds like it really was the right decision. How cool to have it at a baseball game – I mean, I’m not a fan either but what’s more American than baseball?! 😀 I keep considering getting my dual citizenship for the UK as well and I may do it at some point but your post has got me thinking I should really prioritise it – I found your post really heart warming and I’m so pleased you shared it with us! I do wonder myself if I’ve been in the UK so long that I would struggle going back ‘home’ so to speak – it does make you think!
xx
Don’t wait and just do it. It’s a huge relief for me. The process caused stress but having that certificate in hand and knowing that I have the exact same rights now as everyone else makes it worth it. My mom had mixed feelings about this post and it made her sad. I feel awful.