This post is a little late since it happened back in August, but hey why not write about it anyway!
My husband’s father came to visit from Europe for his daughter’s wedding, I mean how could he miss it, right? He came in on August 21st and left Sept 3, which now seems like a billion years ago, but really has only been a few weeks. His time here was short, flew by in a flash and a bit bitter sweet. Considering he had to go back so soon.
It was the first time I was going to meet him in person and though we had video calls in the past with Valeria and my husband, this was a big deal! Many scenarios ran through my head, all negative, due to my anxiety. My husband hadn’t seen him in nearly 4 years and he wished to spend as much time with him as we could, I happily obliged knowing how much he missed having his father around. Plus, I wanted Valeria to know him and spend as much time as she could before he had to venture back to Europe.
My husband and his brother went to get him from the airport and he safely made it with a few hiccups along the way, mostly while he was in Europe. He accidentally took the wrong train (going the opposite way from the airport) and only to be helped by a nice German woman who directed him in the right direction. Than had a complication with his Canadian Passport, but thankfully they allowed him to board the plane with his European one. Only to land safe and sound at Toronto airport and brought back to the apartment to stay.
When I met him, he greeted me with a big smile, a hug and a kiss on my hand and it made me feel reassured that this visit was going to be a good one. Over the next two weeks I got to know my father-in-law; spending mornings on the balcony with the coffee he’d make for us, chatting both into the morning and late at night (about any topic and he’d regale us with stories of his work or younger years), but he would also play and be marveled by Valeria. Often helping us out when we needed a minute and especially when she wasn’t well at the wedding. My husband got to spend a lot of time with him and his brother while he visited too, which was fantastic and much needed.
Sadly, his last day here I wasn’t able to say goodbye or spend much time with him. My fault really since I had finally crashed and fell asleep with Valeria for her afternoon nap, but my husband knew I needed to sleep and let me rest. However, our plans to spend the day with my father-in-law at my brother-in-law’s place was null and void since I over slept. Something I still feel terrible about to this day. But my husband went to drop him off at the airport nonetheless and I stayed at the apartment with my mother-in-law and Valeria.
All-in-all, the visit was great and the time we had with him was much needed. We promised we’d come visit him in Europe (when that will be, not sure, but hopefully in the near future). But maybe he will come back to visit us before that time, fingers crossed!
But meeting him will be a time I will never forget.
Ciao!
Mama on the Move 