Wow!

I am very happily committed in matrimony 5 plus years now. I would not have been able to get indefinite leave to remain without being married.

Looked it up on IPS.gov

Does marriage make me elibible?
No - you do not automatically become a British citizen because you are married to a British man or woman.

Before 1949, if a woman married a British man she automatically became a British citizen. This is no longer the case.

It is silly to have to pay same for the renewed leave to remain stamp as first application every time I renew my US passport.

But is it worth it to spend £635 for British citizenship? If I had UK passport, Chris and I would not have to be separated on each side of the pond to get through the passport controls.

I am very tempted to do it the way Ruth does, except for the worry of losing my original passport and the fact that it was issued in my former married name and shows change back to maiden name (my current name) in the back. Yes I am married to the silent one but I did not take his name.

This needs some thinking about. Thanks for all the advice.