Fran Romano beams as she talks about her son, Adam, and his fiancé.
She remembers the moment she saw her son’s face as his future wife walked in the room.
“I’ve never seen him light up like this, ever,” Fran told News Channel 8.
The Hudson mom was thrilled when the couple asked her to help plan their wedding. She’s dedicated an entire room in her home, affectionately nicknamed “the workshop,” where she’s crafting arrangements and planning the ultimate party.
The planning was going perfectly. That is, until an unexpected, epic, problem popped up out of nowhere.
“I’ve been crying quite a bit. And, um, very upset over it,” she said with tears in her eyes.
The bride’s parents have been told by the U.S. government that they can’t attend their daughter’s wedding, according to Fran.
“This is mind-boggling. Absolutely mind-boggling,” Fran said, explaining the travel troubles.
The bride’s parents, who live in Shanghai, were denied travel visas by the U.S. State Department.
Twice.
According to Fran, officials claimed the parents did not sufficiently prove that they would leave the United States after their 30-day travel visa expired.
The parents maintain that they filed all the proper paperwork in time, including documentation that shows they each have an elderly parent they’re caring for in China.
“Of course they’re going to return,” Fran said. “They have their parents that they take care of. They need to get back to China. They would be coming here for their daughter’s wedding.”
The mother of the groom admits that this whole situation breaks her heart. She began to cry as she talked about how difficult it has been for her future daughter-in-law, Yili Lin.
“She wants to dance with her father. She wants to dance … because I’m going to be dancing with my son, and she wants to dance with her father,” Fran said, wiping her eyes. “I know, I get all choked up.”
Yili’s parents have spent nearly $2,000 in application fees and trips to the American embassy in China.
Fran has a message for the feds.
“Please let them in! You’re breaking so many hearts,” she said.
Both families have been working with Senator Bill Nelson’s office for months, trying to cut through the red tape.
8 On Your Side has also spoken with the senator’s office at length, hoping to get results.
The clock is ticking.
The wedding is April 28.