We have just arrived home from Chicago. Eric, Sarah, Lizzie and I went to the German Consulate today so that they could be naturalized as German citizens. I've had several people ask my why so here is the story.
Eric's father was born in Germany and lived there until he was 3 years old. Their family was forced to leave by the Nazis. They were stripped of their citizenship and had to leave on a boat with whatever belongings they could carry with them. Eric's grandfather was a lawyer in Germany. When they arrived in the USA, they moved to Boston. Speaking no English whatsoever, Ludwig (Eric's grandfather) put himself through law school while working to support his wife and two small sons. Ludwig became a lawyer in the USA and he worked for many years helping Germans in the USA retrieve what money, property, etc they had in Germany. He was even paid with a painting that my in-laws still have.
About a year ago, Eric was reading some articles and one was about ways to get a second citizenship. He found information that showed that the German government was trying to right the wrong of many years past. Since the family's citizenship had been taken from them, there was now the opportunity to restore it to current family members. If a family left on their own, this did not apply to them. Eric talked to his father about this and after getting copies and information, Eric contacted the German Consulate. Eric and the girls were able to become citizens of Germany, having dual citizenship. This process took about a year to complete, only because a few months went by where nothing was done on our end because "life" got busy!!
What does this mean for us? Eric, Sarah, Lizzie and Emily will be able to live in Germany and the EU countries. They are able to work, the girls can go to college (free)! When the girls have children of their own, they will automatically be German citizens as well. What does this mean for me? I get to tag along..... !! It won't be as easy for me, but I'm thrilled for them! I was told today that I can easily get a green card if I wanted!!
When we sat at the table with the lady and she said, "When I hand you these papers, you will be German citizens, congratulations to you" I don't think that the girls realized what a huge thing it was and exactly what it meant and even the meaning behind why they were able to get it. Much heartache had to happen for them to receive it.
Emily's paperwork was sent to the Atlanta Consulate and she will go there to receive her Citizenship. Because she is over 18, she can do this on her own.
We went and had lunch and Sarah said, "We an go buy horses in Europe now!" She wants to learn German so we'll see how that goes!!
So it was a big day for us!
