I have a decision to make.

I've been reading through postings by other Marine wives on the discussion board I frequent concerning homecomings. It turns out most of them are very rigid on being the only one, aside from their children, there when their Marine gets off of the bus. No families or in-laws. Now, I know that Ryan's mom is making tentative - should everything work out that way for her which may not happen - plans to be there. And part of me feels like, geez, this is her firstborn son coming home from a war; how does she not have the right to be there? But then a part of me has been daydreaming since the day he left about our little family being reunited and how it would all happen with just the three of us.

I won't be angry or horribly upset if she is able to make it. Like I said, I seriously believe she has more of a right to be there than even I do as his wife. This is her child. But if she does I'm hoping she's not planning on staying with us or having to be around us every second of the day afterward. Which, after an eight hour drive from Tennessee, I have a feeling is going to happen. It would be fine if she were at the homecoming part and we could all have dinner or whatever meal it's time for together and then go our separate ways for the time being. I may just have to break it down to her that way because I have a feeling Ryan wouldn't want anyone there but Anya and I period which would really hurt his mother's feelings. I'll probably have to talk to him about it beforehand to keep him from being rude when he gets off the bus because I know he was really annoyed with all the family members after boot camp and really just wanted to be with me and only me.

And I know from the way he's talked during this deployment that he has tunnel vision concerning what's waiting for him at home: me. I have a feeling even Anya is going to be secondary in all of his imaginings until he meets her and the reality really hits him that he is a father. I just know how he works. So this should be interesting. I may just have to use his wishes as my excuse. That's bad, I know, but when it comes down to it what he wants is the most important thing even if it hurts feelings or steps on toes.