I'm happy to announce that, while we haven't formed any definite plans and have not fully committed to relocating stateside, my husband seems to be looking forward to the possibility.
And I couldn't hope for less, at this point.
Yesterday, he spent a good portion of the day on the Internet searching up activities of interest in the Chicagoland area. Soccer (he's German, of course he's going to look up soccer clubs!), swimming, cycling. He searched up a local writer's group for me. He spent a long time looking up first-grade entry requirements for our son. And together, we searched for local Canasta clubs. We found next to nothing that wasn't centered around online playing or linked to retirement communities. In fact, in the first search we did for Canasta clubs, we turned up nothing but pages of obituaries!
I spent a few minutes yesterday and today reassuring him that since we'll be sheltering with my folks, we'd be in a safe position. And, that for once, the burden of earning an income for our family wouldn't be his alone, anymore. Additionally, we already have a car and furnishings waiting for us, so we won't have to buy anything once we leave my parent's nest. Really, we have much more than most other immigrants entering the U.S., although our advantages stem from the fact that America is my homeland, and has been to my family for three generations.
He needs to be handled with kid gloves. It's a big risk he's taking, on a personal and professional level. And he's the type of person that, if he feels he's being pushed, he'll push back and do the opposite of what you ask.
Slowly slowly, he'll work himself up to the full committment. That's the way he works. I have my fingers crossed that this time will be no exception.
