Hi, I'm Diana and my husband Matt and I have been together for nearly 15 years, sharing a deep bond as best friends and partners in every sense. We were both born and raised in NYC and after years of building our life together in the US, we decided to embark on a new adventure and make Scotland our home. Matt, who is a citizen of both the United States and the United Kingdom (he holds dual citizenship), moved to Glasgow earlier this year to set up our new life. I was able to visit him for six months, helping him settle into an apartment and a new job, but had to return to the states in July to comply with visa requirements. Since then, we've been separated by thousands of miles, and the distance has been incredibly hard on both of us. Matt lives alone with our cat, Alley, and we both feel the absence of our daily companionship and emotional support.

Current UK visa requirements are very strict, complicated, and expensive. We knew this would be a costly process, but as we’ve gone through it, we’ve learned that the true expenses are far greater than we initially anticipated — with added legal, administrative, and processing fees that quickly add up. We are now raising funds to cover the costs of an immigration lawyer, background checks, and biometrics appointments required for my UK spouse visa. Below is the breakdown of fees, etc. While we've managed to save enough for the visa application and NHS surcharge itself, the legal and administrative fees are beyond our current means. Our goal is to be reunited in Scotland before Christmas, so we can spend the holidays together and support each other through the next chapter of our lives. At 43 and 47, we are also hoping to start a family soon, and being together is essential for us to pursue that dream while we still have the chance.

Our decision to move is also shaped by our desire for a safer, more stable future. As an American citizen, I have concerns about the direction of the US, and we both want to live in a country where healthcare is accessible and affordable, and where food and safety regulations are stronger. Scotland offers us the chance to build a life where we can address our medical needs without fear of overwhelming debt, and where we can look forward to a healthier, more secure future together. Your support will help us overcome the final hurdles to being together and building the life we've dreamed of in our new home.

We are deeply grateful for any support you can offer. If you can’t donate, sharing our story with your network would mean the world to us. Every share brings us closer to finding the support we need and we promise to keep all contributors and supporters updated as we move through this process and get closer to our goal of being reunited. Thank you for helping us make our dream a reality.

With heartfelt thanks,

Diana, Matt, Alley cat and our future baby