Hi everyone! I can't believe it's my turn to share my approval. I am showing my timeline here (more detailed timeline in the second photo). Some details about my case:

* Marriage-based AOS to USC, adjusting from F-1 visa (currently on STEM OPT)
* Filed all the paperwork ourselves--watched Kseniya International RELIGIOUSLY
* Filed the I-130 online first then mailed in the I-485/765/131 packet 3 days later (including medical) to Chicago Lockbox. I almost had a panic attack because I realized I forgot to fill in Part 2 Q3 and Q4 if the I-485 "receipt number of underlying petition" and "priority date from underlying petition." It seems this did not matter, and clearly they were able to link everything together because I included the actual I-130 receipt as well as listed it in the cover letter.
* My I-765 took 120 days to get approved. I never received anything regarding the I-131 besides that one API update in the timeline.
* Interview: we had the interview at San Jose FO. Showed up about 15 mins early, then waited another 20 mins or so until we were called.
   * The officer was an Asian gentleman who was super nice. He made us swear to tell the truth, asked us a few questions, then sent us on our way. Whole thing took \~30 mins. Probably would have been shorter but the officer just seemed to genuinely enjoy chatting, he was even sharing about his wedding and his family when asking us about ours (lmao).
   * Some questions that I do remember: directed to me (beneficiary) confirming my birthday, my identity, my current address, who lives with me, the birth dates of my parents, my birth place, my current employment, and the standard I-485 questions
   * Directed to my husband (petitioner): how/where did we meet, how long have we been dating, when did it start to become serious, how many siblings do I have (then similarly he asked me how many siblings my husband has), if we have meet each other's families. How many people/who attended our civil ceremony, and how many people attended our big wedding reception later on. What are our long-term plans, 3-5 years, are we thinking of kids?
   * He asked if we had any more evidence to present. I said no, we uploaded everything to the portal (even new evidence, using the unsolicited evidence button). He said oh, he can't see them in the system right now, but that's fine. I offered a printed copy of our latest tax return but he said if we uploaded it it's probably in there somewhere.
   * He handed me the white piece of paper with the first box checked, basically "we have everything we need, sit tight." He did tell me "you'll probably get your approval today, or tomorrow, or next week because of the holiday." He also gave me instructions on how to remove conditions in 2 years and get a new SSN without restrictions. I didn't want to get my hopes up but as you can see in the timeline we received the approval notice pretty quickly. I-130 was approved same day as the interview, I-485 was approved the following day.
* I'll update this post when I get the physical card in my hands. This is all I've got for now.

I hope this gives some hope to those still waiting. I was checking the API every day, sometimes multiple times a day. I'd go on a few stretches where I could not look at it for a few days, but it was hard. I know nothing will be better than seeing some movement on your case, but this subreddit really helped me keep my sanity. The best advice I could give while waiting is to spend time with those who love you--go on a roadtrip with your family (the US is full of breathtaking landscapes), see your in-laws, grab a drink with your friends, snuggle your pets. If you have to wait, you may as well spend it with folks who make it less painful. Good luck y'all! 

PD 11/20/24 Approved, marriage-based AOS, San Jose FO interview