Monster thank-you's and gratitude

Paul and I want to raise our glass to all those who helped with our "Keep Love Together" campaign. We raised $1,965.60, which after fees, comes to a net total of $1,965.60 toward my visa and moving to Australia expenses. We want to especially thank (in no particular order): Dr. Jen Mahon (and I am so tickled to get to say "Dr." now!!) Denny and Glenn Wagner Tina Tessina Lynn Hineman John & June Clair Faye Omasta Mona Martin Greg Konkol Kristin Horrigan Ann Larson Sharon Gourlay Aidan Heritage Lisa Hawkridge Kristen Roth Jackie Haney Kendra Watsun Tina Howell Skye Belle Pryztas Jaynie Beard Susan Levitan Kelly and James Beckelheimer Wendy Gordon Kirby Fortin Arlene and Damon Gunn Deshira Jean Baxter Melissa Stratton Pandina all of our generous Anonymous donors With special thanks to Tina Tessina, Greg Konkol, and Aidan Heritage for being multiple donors - and Skye Belle Pryztas and Aidan Heritage for being our chief cheerleaders and helping to spread the word! I apologize for this being a bit late in getting out (the campaign ended on March 4th) - but I was a little busy recovering from a fall on the ice.

I'm doing okay, and will have more knowledge about the details of my injuries after Wednesday the 12th March when I see the orthopedist. It has been an interesting couple of months - my fall on the ice, Paul's cancer scare, and several unexpected bills that we're managing to deal with. Needless to say, we can't wait to be together. My name change is now official - I have a new Social Security card and driver's license that proclaims to the world that I am now Mrs. Kat Milner - and thanks to all of you, as soon as I get my new passport with my new name, I can file for my visa!! With luck, Paul and I will be together for our first anniversary, and you will know that YOU HELPED MAKE IT POSSIBLE. Thank you for believing in us, believing in love, and supporting us. Words are not enough to tell you how grateful we are. With love, Kat and Paul

Last few hours for love campaign

So we're in the last few hours of the campaign, and we hope you will join us. Paul and I have both been working 5 jobs between us to save money - for the visa, the background and medical checks, the flights, and to save for and furnish an apartment for when I get to Australia. Some quotes from some of our contributors: "Kat and Paul have renewed my faith in finding love. I thought the fairy tale ending happened only in the movies. Who wouldn't want to be part of a real life fairy tale ending?" "For Love, With Love." "In our world there is so much hurt and struggle and disease, and with social media there are waves of support daily, through prayer, donations and words of comfort and encouragement. I felt moved by the opportunity to contribute to a positive outcome, Kat & Paul, so clearly committed & in love. Circumstances of life have created the opportunity for their community to rally support to bring them together. $10, $20, $50 does make a difference, it is inspired action. An opportunity to support Love & LOVE WINS!" "well, mainly because that's what friends do. They help each other either emotionally, physically or monitarily as needed. no questions asked. I will miss you, but I would rather you be happy there than miserable here." "I supported your campaign because it was the right thing to do." We hope you will choose to join us, to help spread love into the world. To help to struggling newlyweds be together. Paul left for Australia 10 days after we married, as as of today, March 4, 2014, it has been 97 days since we've seen each other. So many people at the wedding commented that they have rarely seen two people so very much in love - will you help us be together so we can kiss each other goodnight, rather than wave over Skype? Just a few hours left - join us now. www.indiegogo.com/projects/keep-love-together

Standing on the side of love

As of noon on Sunday, March 2, we have just over 60 hours left in our indiegogo campaign to help raise the money for Paul and I to be together. The only thing that stands between us and keeps us a world apart is money. We realize that there are thousands of incredibly worthy causes out there - starving children, abused women, homeless families, cancer survivors who need surgery...the list is endless. We know that in the great scheme of things, our need isn't anywhere near the top of the list of critical importance in the world. Why then, did we decide to do this campaign? We decided to do this campaign because of one thing and one thing only - LOVE. The day of our wedding, the chapel and the reception was filled to bursting with love - I personally have never felt so much love in one place, and it was amazing to watch everyone fall in love with the very special man that became my husband. Every time I think about that day, I am overcome with feelings of love toward Paul, his son Z, and all of our friends and family that joined us that day in person and in spirit. I listen to the soundtrack from our reception, and it takes me back to dancing in the arms of my beloved, and seeing the joy on so many faces as they celebrated with us. So often it seems that our attention is brought to causes as a result of pain - like the list named above. We thought that people would like the opportunity to step forward and support a cause of joy - to support two people who love each other so much, have committed their lives together, and want nothing more than to be able to hold hands, kiss, and touch and hug each other. So often, when in a relationship, we take these things for granted - sleeping next to our partner, sharing meals, cuddling while watching a movie, or just taking a walk together and talking about nothing over coffee. We thought that people would like the opportunity to look at our real-life fairy tale, and be able to say "I helped make that happen!" when they see the pictures of us crying for joy when we are finally reunited. I mean, how often can you say you had a hand in making a for-real "happily-ever-after" happen? We're down to the wire - we know we won't make our full goal of $6,000, and that is okay. But it would be really wonderful if we could at least say we netted over $2,000, which would mean our friends got us 2/3 of the way to the visa! Won't you go now to www.indiegogo.com/projects/keep-love-together and donate now? Stand on the side of love, be a supporter of joy, and help two newlyweds who have only had 6 1/2 weeks together since February 22, 2013 be able to be together and share their life? Will you be a champion who helps love win out over governmental red tape? Please join us - www.indiegogo.com/projects/keep-love-together And if you haven't seen it yet, there is a video telling our story at: http://youtu.be/80KtlCm5E4k To all those who have already contributed, thank you. To those who have helped to spread the word, thank you. To all of you who continue to spread the word and to help in every way you can - thank you - we cannot do it without you. Thank you for being our love champion. Kat & Paul