True! That one comes first! The SO should be talking to a lawyer soon. But advice for both is welcome! Because, frankly, I think moving there will be easier than moving back 😭😂

Let me be clear— my grandmother will freak because of the distance (36 hours), not because it’s Canada. She didn’t like it when my family moved to Texas(14 hrs away) 10+ years ago. I’m not letting it dictate my decision and frankly I’ll probably just find it funny. She’ll accept it, I just know she won’t be happy at first. It’s a reasonable reaction since we’ve all lived within 3hrs of each other, if not in the same city, most of our lives. Also, yeah, they know about their healthcare but it’s not really the point. He's completely aware of the costs, which is why we are considering staying a few extra years so the military will pay for his college. He lived in the US for a bit when he was younger. He’s lived in several places in Canada, he just doesn’t like the way their government works or their politics. But I’d really rather not get into it. We’re just trying to focus on me getting in there and him leaving later. The end goal— that we’ve both agreed on— is to try to start the process to get back to the US in no more than ten years. Like I said, he doesn’t like it there and really wants to immigrate to the US eventually. We’d both like to be closer to an immediate family (mine) that is supportive of each other. I don’t feel comfortable raising kids without family within a days drive. So this isn’t about which country is “better”, it’s just about support and family! We’ve all agreed Canada, while I’m sure it will be a fun adventure and interesting time in my life, will be somewhat temporary!

Haha you know what? I was prepared for her to freak out more when I told her. She took it surprisingly well! I was definitely expecting the whole thing to be a little like that. But I will tell you that when my grandmother figures it out, that will be her EXACT tone and reaction 😂😂😂

Oh my gosh. We’ve already joked about eloping but it truly may be the best option. Thanks for this! Hopefully my experience will be that easy!

Thanks! Yeah, I need to start doing some more research on this evidently. Luckily I live in a college town with a lot of diverse students from other countries so I’m hoping there’s a few immigration attorneys here haha it seems like a work visa may be my best bet for a shorter term situation. I was originally thinking permanent residency but now I’m thinking jumping through those hoops may be unnecessary. Yeah, we get it. I appreciate you pointing it out but it’s done now. We’ve both clarified. It’s okay to lay this to rest. If you have any advice, I’d appreciate it! But if you’re only on here to keep trying to prove your point, it seems a bit redundant. THANK YOU! This is good info. I’m entirely not looking forward to it, as I already know some (not all!) Canadians aren’t fans of Americans. Sometimes rightfully so. I think I’ll be fine with his mil friends, but I do expect a bit of weirdness from childhood/hometown friends. I once dated a guy from New York and— being from the south— his parents automatically assumed I was a gun-slinging hick with zero culture and even asked if I knew what certain common fast food places were. I can only imagine there will be similar instances a little farther north 😂

Daughter here— my SO strongly dislikes Canada. The only thing keeping him there is indeed his military service, of which he and I value. He may enlist again for free college, but I can promise the goal is to get back to the US. I’m excited for an adventure and very open-minded, but you fail to consider that my loving Canadian SO actually doesn’t like Canada much at all haha— I would dare to say there’s a lot he even hates about it, sparing only the poutine, hockey, and healthcare! (I’m hyped to see some real snow but I’m sure I’ll be sick of it after a week) side note: his grandparents are still in Lithuania!

Hi! I made a quick account for this and probably won’t check back again(edit: lol nvm this is too interesting and great info!) BUT— I’m the daughter! This has all (mostly) been great advice and good info! Reading through some of this made me laugh, though. I promise it’s not that deep. My mom’s been very supportive and I’m grateful for her interest because frankly I’m out of my depth. I’ve been friends with my SO for a long time but the relationship began and developed quickly and while dual managing college and other important extra curricular activities, I really appreciate her asking the questions I’ve avoided. (Because I know immigrating there AND back to the US for him will be a pain an I’ve stupidly been avoiding this process as long as I could until this got really serious) (edit: also everything about his past she has correct and he frankly would like to put distance between himself and HIS mother lol I won’t go into detail but she’s not the nicest or most supportive woman) To make a long story short, my SO does NOT like living in Canada and does have a desire to live in the US. And while I’m excited for an adventure, I’m not trying to live there permanently and definitely expressed this anxiety to my mom! So if my mom seems US-centric, it’s because my SO is too haha! Trust me, he would like to leave. But we are working out the logistics and frankly we could be there for a bit considering the CA military may pay for his college if he re-enlists in a few years. We’re weighing the pros and cons. But thank you guys for the useful info! I’ll try to get together with my mom 😉 soon and talk things out. It seems to me that I need to talk to an immigration attorney! Luckily my SO also knows an immigration attorney and was planning on speaking to him soon. Thanks y’all. Wish me luck. EDIT2: also of anyone can teach me about hockey that would be great 😂😅