The most useful advantage of first class is getting off the plane first. This is especially true when you have to go through with a Special Envelope that can only be opened by Authorised Immigration Officials.

I scooted off and was first in to the visitor’s queue. There was only about 20 people ahead of me from the previous flight. When I was pointed to a queue, I managed to be in one with no one in front of me that was just finishing off - hurrah for lucky lines! I handed over my airport to the luckily not-scary-looking immigration lady. She was very friendly and asked me a few questions re: my relationship as she went over my paperwork (including big APPROVED stamp).

This is probably the first time at immigration that I have not been incredibly nervous. Given all the issues of getting in to the country while dating over the last few years, having a piece of paper in my hand saying I’m allowed in was incredibly relieving. After she’d done her thang, I was given all the papers and pointed over to a second room. There was an officer and one other guy in there (having some green card problem, the conclusion of which would seem to be, Don’t Be Adopted).

I waited 15 mins or so, smiling to myself all the time. Smiling in immigration - shocking I know. When it came to me, the officer, chugging on some soft drink and eating crisps, (stereotype: confirmed) got on with it, asked me a few questions, was all friendly and New Yoikian and then went off to get the magic stamp of Work Authorisation. The whole process was incredibly easy, and surprisingly fast.

I headed out, grabbed my bags, the only ones left and walked through the doors to see my One, my Only, Miss Laura E. Hall. After much pinching each other to see if this was real, we wandered off in a daze ecstatic that our year long trial was over.

New York was chilly and wet - very welcoming for a Brit! A quick bus ride to La Guardia and we switched flight super-fast (’nother employee benefit) on to a delayed one, rushed our bags in and headed to the gate where I ate my first soft pretzel DROOL, so salty.

The flight was uneventful. We were in standard class, but had two seats together and I slept awkwardly as Laura read. 3 hours later we touched down in DFW. We were greeted by Lau’s awesome mum, who gave me a true welcome which involved flashing “Statue of Liberty”s and an epilepsy-inducing USA badge. You can see Evey modelling these here:

She also gave us a bottle of champagne and set us on our way! Thanks LauMum and LauStepDad.

We got in Lau’s car and drove back. I need to actually start paying attention to where I am and the things around me, as soon enough I’ll have to navigate this way-too-big city myself.