Congrats!
It sounds like everything went perfectly.
My wife feels similarly to how you felt pre-GC- she's been out of status for a few months but has been itching to visit her family. I can only imagine how uncomfortable it is to have in the back of your mind that you can't travel out of the country (or even within the US if you're very paranoid about over-zealous TSA peeps). Hope you and the husband have a well-deserved celebration!
Thank you so much! Yup, I remember I had to visit another state and because I was nervous of those TSA folks, I took the train for 18 hours instead of taking a plane ride that would have been 2 hours. I did that several times. I'm so glad that mess is over for me (and soon for the rest of you guys) because it's no fun to live like that. Your interview is in 2 weeks so I'm wishing you GREAT luck on that! You guys will be ok! Can't wait to hear the good news!
I slept and remembered some questions other than the ones from the forms that the IO had. My IO was a Hispanic looking lady about early to mid 30s, hair slick back in a ponytail. Wearing a black pants suit and heels and somewhat attractive (I know none of that matters)
* How did you meet? (I asked "Who do you prefer to answer?" and she said "Either of you" and my spouse and I were looking at each other and then I said "You go, I'll finish your sentences" The IO laughed)
* When she asked about my when previous marriage ended I gave her the date but I went on to explain that the relationship itself for that marriage was short-lived and only because my ex didn't want to pay for the divorce fees, I prolonged it until I could accumulate the funds to do it on my own) She also asked if my EX was a citizen or permanent resident. I answered permanent resident
* She asked about my F-1 status. (That I came to the country as one) She was like when did you come in as F-1. I told her Aug 2002. She asked "Where you F-1 all this time?" I explained that I went out of status in 2009 and she asked why? So I explained that I got my first Bachelor's and then started a second degree program but in somewhere in between that, I couldn't afford paying the tuition anymore and I didn't know that the time frame for not attending school was so short and would put me out of status.
* She asked if since I've been out of status have I had any trips outside of the U.S. I answered No. She asked "Other than the petit larceny that was dismissed, have you ever been arrested for any crime?" I answered No.
*Some supervisor (black lady) came in and started going through the paperwork and then turned to me and asked me "M'am what's your husband's rank in the Marine Corps" I answered what it was and that he was recently promoted. Then she turned to my IO and said "This is a military case so it's done a little differently" and my IO asked "I'm so sorry, I didn't know. Would you like to take it?" and then the supervisor said "I can't right now but let me know if anything comes up" ----- She left and the IO continued the interview. BUT she did come back 10 minutes later to hover for about 5 minutes.
*She asked about our supporting documents: We gave her the copies of our bank statements, I had also printed out our account summary (online) with itemized spending, a copy of all the cheques we've written (I usually sign them cuz I am the one who deals with the bills etc), we gave her Verizon bills and one Cox (another cable company bill) She asked why we had two cable companies. I explained that when we first moved in Verizon was on strike so we couldn't get Fios so we went with Cox and then Verizon came off strike so we cancelled Cox and went to Verizon. She laughed at this. She asked about the lease, so I explained why I was on the lease just as an occupant and she also asked why I wasn't on his health insurance (or enrolled in DEERS) (this was when the supervisor was there) I explained that I need to have a SS card to be enrolled and sicne I had no legal presence, I wouldn't get a new card (as I had lost my old card) so therefore I couldn't be enrolled. BUT later she did mention that I should take care of this to show bonafide marriage when time comes to do removal of conditions
*She asked my hubby when will he be PCS-ing again. He was explaining about having to re-enlist because his time is up soon and she asked if he really wants to re-enlist. He said he's trying to but they're downsizing.
*We kept the photos that she copied separated so we could just know what she chose. It turned out to be 14 and not 8 like I said before. She took 5 from wedding and honeymoon and 9 from regular life. One including me and his grandmother. One with me and his uncle. One with him and my mother. One with him and me after I had just had surgery (sinus) (he had brought me a teddy bear and balloon). One of us at the amusement park and a few other regular ones.
She kinda flipped through the half way mark of the album so she missed our Thanksgiving family photos. Christmas photos etc but no biggie. She didn't want to see our greeting cards to each other over the period of time. She didn't ask sooo many of the questions were had so diligently prepared for. No "what side of the bed does he sleep" "What color is his toothbrush?" You know, those types of questions. She spent a good amount of time flipping through our files so I'd the say the interview was probably about 30 minutes long.
She also encouraged us to keep gathering documents to show when we file I-751. She said they are a little stricter then because in 2 years time we should have had enough time to gather more (and better) evidence to show bonafide marriage.
When I remember more, I'll be sure to write but I think that's about it.
You have gathered all the documents you need and you have your husband with you during that interview. Don't worry too much.