Our Commitment
This is our story-a tale of love, determination, and an unbreakable commitment to bring our family together. Despite the challenges we face, we refuse to give up on the dream of being reunited. Our journey has taught us the power of love and the strength that comes from facing adversity together. We will continue to fight against the bureaucratic barriers, holding onto hope and believing that one day our family will be whole once again.A True Life Commitment.
Our Story
My name is Dennis Geier. I am a natural born American Citizen. I live in Milford, Ohio USA. At age 62, I found myself in a semi-retired state, feeling a strong sense of unfinished business. It consumed my thoughts day and night, making it difficult to sleep. It was then that I realized I wanted to embark on a new challenge and teach English in China. It seemed like an exciting and unconventional path to take. I enrolled in TEFL classes, earned the necessary certifications, and completed additional grammar credits. By December 28, 2016, I boarded a plane to Shanghai and then headed to Guiyang, Guizhou in Southwest China to pursue my newfound quest.
Little did I know that my journey would take unexpected turns that would forever change the course of my life. One of which was a mistake I made before my trip to China; a mistake that I will never regret to this very day.
Prior to traveling to a new country to teach, I failed to do the necessary research before traveling to China. As a result, I soon discovered that there were age restrictions for obtaining a work visa to replace my tourist visa through the school where I intended to teach. This posed a significant obstacle for me. Without a work visa, there was little to no hope I could find a place to live.
During this time of uncertainty, I had the good fortune of crossing paths with Yimei Zhang. We connected through a popular Chinese social media app called WeChat. Yimei worked as a housing agent, advertising rental properties. As luck would have it, I found myself without a sponsor for housing, and Yimei became a godsend in my life. She not only helped me find an apartment but went above and beyond my expectations. Yimei even signed the lease on my behalf, ensuring that I had a place to call home.
Yimei's actions touched me deeply, and our connection grew stronger with each passing day. Yimei shared with me that she had recently given birth to a son named Haoyu, but circumstances had forced her to work and provide for him alone. The biological father had abandoned them, not wanting to have any responsibilities for a child he didn't want, leaving Yimei to shoulder the responsibilities of motherhood on her own, and try to earn a living at the same time. Yimei had to place Haoyu in a daycare center while she worked tirelessly to make ends meet. My heart ached for both Yimei and Haoyu.
One fateful day, Yimei took me to visit the daycare center where Haoyu was staying. To my horror, I discovered that it was an unlicensed facility, cramped with twelve babies confined to a small bedroom. The conditions were appalling-dirty diapers, unchanged clothes, and neglectful care. My anger ignited, and I couldn't bear to see Haoyu suffer in such a place. I decided to take matters into my own hands.
With a newfound determination and guided by what I believe to be divine intervention, I held Haoyu in my arms and whispered to him, "from now on, your name will be Michael, Mikey for short." In that moment, Haoyu became Mikey, and I made a solemn vow to provide him with the love, care, and opportunities he deserved.
I didn't anticipate this turn of events when I embarked on my journey to China. My original intent was to teach and explore a foreign culture, not to find love or become a father figure. But God has his own plans, and I found myself embracing a new purpose-one that involved not only Mikey but also Yimei.
Together, we navigated the challenges that life threw at us. Despite my inability to work at a school or rent housing due to visa restrictions, Yimei helped me to quietly start a small school of my own, set up a bank account, and taught me how to use WeChat for essential purchases. We relied on each other and formed a strong bond, as I became the father figure Mikey desperately needed. Yimei and I married in Guiyang, Guizhou China in April, 2019.
For five years, I dedicated myself to teaching English to underprivileged children in China, operating my own school discreetly. The love I felt for Mikey and Yimei fueled my desire to make a difference in their lives. However, my journey took an unexpected turn when a serious medical condition forced me to return to the United States for urgent medical attention. I suffer from severe heart disease. I was now faced with a very heart wrenching decision knowing I had to leave Yimei behind because Yimei's petitions where still being adjudicated and she could not go with me.
However, Mikey, who knew no other father, came along with me in November 2021. Mikey had been issued an immigration visa when Yimei's was denied. During the wait for our appeal on Yimei's visa, Mikey's visa expired, and I requested to reissue his visa, which was approved. Mikey was issued an IR2 visa and is now a legal permanent resident of the United States. As hard as it was, Yimei and I both agreed that Mikey is better off being in the USA with me, waiting for his mother, where he has opportunities that he would never have living in Communist China. Mikey can only speak and understand English. Moreover, going back to China is not an option. With my severe health issues; both Mikey and myself not being able to speak Mandarin, and not being able to work in China does not make a lot of sense.
The separation from his mother has been a tremendous challenge for young Mikey. Being away from her for so long has taken a toll on his emotional wellbeing. As he grows older, his longing for his mother becomes more apparent, affecting his happiness and overall development. We need to reunite our loving family and restore the stability and joy Mikey deserves.
Since then, we have faced numerous challenges in reuniting our family. The US government has been reluctant to grant Yimei a visa, leaving us trapped in a bureaucratic maze for the past 3.5 years. We have explored every avenue, including pursuing Humanitarian Parole, which was denied. Our efforts have been met with roadblocks and mounting legal expenses.
Despite the distance, my commitment to Yimei remains unwavering. I recognize the importance of keeping our family unit intact and have supported her financially throughout this ordeal. Finding work in China has proven difficult for her, but I stand by my marriage vows, knowing that our love and dedication will see us through.
