If My Parents Lived in Long Island...

Every time my Dad gets fed up with the daily challenges of living in Istanbul, he tells me "Well, as you know, we'll get a small place in Long Island and move next to you.." (Think joint homes in My Big Fat Greek Wedding") We both laugh because we know that it's not going to happen for various social and economic reasons.

But as I have been the lone soldier, planning and preparing for a wedding, I wonder how all this might have been different if my parents could be here every day.

Now I update them over the phone and convince my mom that the decisions I make are actually within reason - given what's out there and what it takes to do a wedding in NY. She agrees with me - after half an hour of fast-paced discussion usually filled with phrases like "I can't hear you. What? No way! Do it this way, no do it that way! Ok, you're right."

Would it be any better if they were here? Or would we just yell about the same things in person?

In Istanbul, we know people, people know us, we know the way, we have help from friends and family. Here, everyone is busy, offer help over the phone, or do not want to get involved for whatever reason.

It may be stressful, it may be expensive or do-it-yourself, it may be fun or dull... but it shouldn't be lonely...

I wish my Dad had gotten that place in Long Island.