SEQUIM — Twenty minutes in a Tukwila immigration center in February made Brandon and Tracy Stoppani U.S. citizens.
They took a 10-question test at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, answered an interviewer’s questions and finally swore to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies.”
But for the Stoppanis to feel that they’ve truly crossed over — and left their native England behind — other things had to happen, here on the North Olympic Peninsula.
“It’s hard to put into words, because it’s just a feeling,” Brandon began.
But then he described that feeling clearly.
“We were out riding on the west side of Burnt Hill, with a view across the mountains,” he said.
“It’s fantastic, to be out in the wilderness. I’ll always remember that.”
The Stoppanis live in Sequim with their sons Kiano, 12, and Meelo, 10, and their quarter horses, Hummer and Snoopy.
