SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Puspa and Moni Bajgai stood in front of an American flag with their arms around each other and smiled brightly while a family member took their picture.
After being married for 30 years, they celebrated Valentine’s Day by being sworn in together as new citizens of the United States.
“Very happy, I’m very happy,” Moni Bajgai, who is from Bhutan, said again and again. “I’m American. I have (a) very good life.”
The couple was among 23 immigrants who were sworn in as American citizens Friday. They will join more than 778,000 immigrants who were naturalized during the 2013 fiscal year.
What the couple wasn’t able to express in English, they made up for with enthusiastic handshakes, smiles and nods with everyone around them.
The couple came to the U.S. five years ago with their four sons and one daughter.
One of their sons, Suk Bajgai, said his parents faced many obstacles before becoming citizens, but were finally able to pass the test and fulfill all the requirements to take part in the naturalization ceremony.
“It’s the happiest moment today,” he said.
Suk Bajgai said it was a wonderful way for his parents to celebrate the holiday because they are very much in love.
“Happy Valentine’s to them,” he said.
“Very good Valentine’s Day,” Moni Bajgai echoed.
Jeanne Kent, Salt Lake field office director for U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services, said the immigrants experience something like romantic love when they enter the country.
“When they first come here, they’re dazzled,” she said. “Our country is not perfect. It’s just like love. You love, even though it’s not perfect and we want better. These new citizens will make it better.”
As she looked out over the group during the ceremony, Kent said she watched their fears and anxieties slip away. Their excitement grew while a few eyes filled with tears of joy.
“Some of them think it’s the end of the journey, but it really isn’t,” she said.
It is a new chapter for the immigrants.
“I see that love for your country, and it humbles me,” she told the group during the ceremony.
Sameer Khalawi and Karima Alwan, a couple from Iraq, were also sworn in together Friday. They said they were both “very, very happy” to be citizens and thanked those standing near them.
Juan and Lidia Alvarez, a couple from Mexico, also showed their excitement.
“I’m proud to be a citizen now,” Lidia Alvarez said.
Juan Alvarez said it is a day they won’t ever forget. “We’re always going to remember it was Valentine’s Day, and we did it together,” he said.
Lidia Alvarez said the day is now even more romantic for her.
“We won’t forget this day,” she said. “We’re just blessed to be citizens and glad that we’re done with the process.”
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Information from: Deseret News, https://www.deseretnews.com
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