(Photo French Flag found on Pinterest no link was available)
I did it!
Nearly, eighteen months ago I applied for my French citizenship.
Yesterday, in Nice, I had an interview with the immigration authorities. I was anxious that I might not answer something correctly and be told I wasn't accepted. To be safe I read everything I could online and went over hundreds of questions that they could ask me. Questions such as: "Why I wanted French citizenship? Name five French philosophers? What is laïcité? What happened in Verdun? Name the last five Prime Ministers? What are some of the latest laws that have taken place in France?" The questions that they could have asked have to do with an applicants personal life, French culture, history, and government, and of course, the questions are asked in French and need to be answered in French.
The hardest part was thinking I might have to sing the French national anthem the Marseillaise. I could barely sing the Star Spangled Banner, barely keep a tune, let alone in French. I memorized the first line, and the first line of the chorus and could hum it. WhooHoo! And I could explain what the song is about. But sing it by heart, unfortunately, no.
Back in October when Yann went to India I had an unexpected visit by two National Gendarmerie. They came by early in the morning my friend Mo's husband was there because he had brought me some eggs. Though the two National Gendarmes didn't see it that way. They thought because it was early in the morning that Mo's husband was Yann. When I explained that Mo's husband was just a friend and that Yann was in India on a motorcycle trip they did not believe me, leading them to question whether he was my lover. After forty-five minutes of being questioned to prove that I was who I said I was, that Yann was my husband, that we live together and were part of our community they knew I was telling the truth. I am sure you have heard stories where they ask you what color is your partner's toothbrush… well I prayed they didn't ask me that because I did not know. It was intense questioning and luckily honesty was simply all I had to offer. Even if it was confusing,
"What hobbies do you enjoy?"
"Brocanting, cooking…"
"Why are you not in India with your husband?"
"Because he is on a ride where being two would be too difficult due to the type rough terrain ride he is on."
"Do you have children?"
"Yes, two."
"What sports do you and your husband do together?"
"Not many! He is crazy and I like safe sports like walking."
"Crazy?"
"Well no not crazy but crazy."
"Where does your daughter live?"
"In Paris."
"Do you like to fly with your husband?"
"Oh you know he flies? No, I don't like to fly with him."
"Why no?"
"Because it scares me."
It was at this point I began to worry that they would think that Yann and I were not a couple.
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It has been an interesting journey seeking dual citizenship. But at last, I can say I did it!
After more than half my life lived in France I can say when a French person asks me,
"Where are you from?" I can answer proudly,
"I am Franco-American with an enormous accent."
The next step is waiting to receive my citizenship which could be ten months or more.
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