In the last few years, you've probably noticed how quickly our Ridgefield community has grown. New neighborhoods, restaurants, businesses, and families continue to shape the city we love. Few families have had a front-row seat to that growth quite like the Eid family.

For Hani and Hazar, Ridgefield isn't just where they live; it's where they've chosen to build their family, their business, and their future.

Originally from Syria, Hani and Hazar came to the United States in 1999 to pursue their education. The couple married in Boston in 1999, and this November they will celebrate their 27th wedding anniversary.

"We were each other's best friends for six years before getting married," Hazar shares. "We came to the United States together as students, and we've built our careers side by side ever since."

After Hani completed his pediatric dentistry residency at Tufts University in Boston, both accepted positions as assistant professors at Oregon Health & Science University School of Dentistry. In 2002, they packed their bags and headed west to the Pacific Northwest. Two years later, they purchased a pediatric dental practice in Longview and left academia to focus on serving families through their growing business, Happy Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics.

By 2009, they wanted to be closer to Portland and found themselves drawn to Ridgefield.

"We bought a house in the area and never looked back," Hazar says. "We've loved watching Ridgefield grow into what it is today."

That growth has mirrored the journey of their own family. Hani and Hazar have three sons, Faris, Adam, and Jad, each with unique talents, passions, and paths that have been shaped by the supportive community around them.

Their oldest son, Faris, is 23 years old and an inspiration to everyone who knows him. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy and living with speech and cognitive delays, Faris attended Ridgefield High School, where he was mainstreamed for much of his education.

"We strongly believe in inclusive education," Hazar explains. "The staff at Ridgefield High embraced that vision and treated Faris with so much kindness and respect."

When graduation arrived, however, the family faced a challenge familiar to many parents of children with special needs: What comes next?

"It took about a year to figure out what his future should look like," she says. "Once high school ends, there isn't a built-in structure anymore."

Today, Faris is thriving. He works out six days a week, making him, according to his family, "the most fit person in the household." He trains at a CrossFit gym, enjoys rock climbing, horseback riding, rowing, and has been developing independent living skills, including grocery shopping at Rosauers right here in Ridgefield. He also works night shifts at the Amtrak station in Kelso, combining another one of his passions: trains.

Adam, 20, a graduate of Seton High School, is currently attending Washington State University, where he studies business while helping with the family's growing dental practice. Golf has become a major part of his life and serves as a special bond between father and son.

"Golf is kind of our family's love language," Hazar says with a laugh.

Whether they're playing local courses or traveling to new destinations, golf has created countless family memories.

The youngest, Jad, is 14 and already an accomplished musician. Piano is his primary instrument, but his talents extend to saxophone, drums, and bass guitar. He participates in Portland's Young Composers Project and spends much of his free time writing and composing original music.

"He lives and breathes music," the family says.

Jad attends Northwest Academy in Portland and will begin high school at Central Catholic this fall. He's always eager to share his music and frequently performs at open-mic nights and senior living communities.

While their children's interests vary widely, one thing remains consistent throughout the Eid family: a deep commitment to community.

That commitment extends beyond Ridgefield and even beyond the United States. As Syrian immigrants, the humanitarian crisis affecting refugees from their home country touched them deeply. Over the years, the family has organized and participated in medical missions to the Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan, providing free dental and healthcare services to children in need.

Through those efforts, Dr. Eid has helped hundreds of refugee children receive life-changing dental treatment and recently received the Humanitarian Award from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

"Many of these children were living with severe pain and had no access to regular dental care," Hazar explains. "Being able to restore their ability to eat, sleep, and smile comfortably has been incredibly meaningful."

Those experiences have also helped shape the culture of their family business, Happy Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics. What began as a small pediatric dental office in Longview has grown into a network of practices serving families throughout Washington.

Alongside Hani, Hazar has played a major role in building and expanding the organization, earning a master's degree in healthcare administration from OHSU along the way. Today, Happy Kids Dentistry and Orthodontics serves patients across the I-5 corridor, and after years of hoping to bring the practice closer to home, the family is excited to open its newest location right here in Ridgefield in the former Arktana building in Pioneer Village.

"After building our business for more than two decades, we're thrilled it's finally coming to our own city," Hazar says.

When they're not working, volunteering, golfing, or making music, the Eids enjoy many of the same things that make Ridgefield special for so many residents. They love walking through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, exploring local wineries, visiting the Vancouver Waterfront, and supporting local businesses.

"We love the waterfront and recently celebrated Hazar's 50th birthday there," the family shares.

Some of their other favorite spots include 3Peaks Public House, Pacific Northwest Best Fish Co., 8 Noodles, Kokoro Ramen House, Rosauers, and Copper Bell Bookshop.

One thing that still makes them smile is reflecting on the adjustment from life in Syria to life in the Pacific Northwest.

"In Syria, it rained maybe 40 to 60 days a year," Hazar says. "Moving here and discovering it rains for months at a time was definitely an adjustment."

The family does find time to get away, and one of their favorite destinations is Bend. When traveling overseas, they enjoy exploring Brazil, the Middle East, and Europe.

Family remains at the center of their lives. Hazar's brother, Dr. Yazan Jaber, lives nearby with his wife and children. Both Hani's and Hazar's parents are also close by, making celebrations a true family affair.

Whether it's a birthday, graduation, holiday, or simple Sunday dinner, you'll likely find everyone gathered around the Eid family kitchen table.

"That's where our sense of community really lives," Hazar says.

And as Ridgefield continues to grow, the Eid family is excited to grow right alongside it.

"We love seeing new families move here, new businesses open, and new opportunities emerge," Hazar says. "This community has given so much to us, and we're grateful to be part of it."

For a family that traveled halfway around the world to build a life together, Ridgefield has become much more than a place on a map. The Eids have made it their home.