Matthew and I have been married for almost 17 years, and, for at least the last 11, we have wished his parents would leave Hawaii and move somewhere closer - it didn't really matter where, so long as it was somewhere in the lower 48. Matthew's dad smiled and said, "someday", for years, and then it felt like he said "in another 5 years" for at least 6. Matthew told me to stop harassing him, while Mother Marler told me to keep it up.
On Christmas, we got the scariest gift we've ever been given. Matthew's dad suffered a massive heart attack and was hospitalized for several days. Thankfully, Matthew's little brother, Michael was visiting and offered so much help and support at such a stressful and critical time for his parents.
A few weeks later, his dad rethought his 5-year plan to retiring sometime this year, maybe this August or December, or maybe next year. They considered buying property somewhere in Oregon and building a house that would be ready when he finally did it, but when they came out for a weekend visit in March, they bought a house in South Salem. The plan went back to retiring in August or December, but within a few weeks of arriving home, the plan got moved up to the beginning of June and then moved up again to the beginning of May.
It was a miracle we never saw coming. And now they are here, being the daughter and son-in-law, parents, and grandparents Mother Marler has wanted them to be for some time.
They arrived on her birthday and we celebrated Mother's Day all together. It was a perfect way to welcome them to Oregon.
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