Sunday, October 23, 2011

Days of Beauty: Family Traditions

October 22. It is a special date on our calendar each year for it marks the day that David and I closed on this, our first home. We weren't married yet, living at separate addresses and this house was a wreck needing so much work.

But, this day was special! And, even though our house was gutted, had no electricity and only concrete floors - we embraced the moment and picked up Chinese food. Bringing it to our house! We found a blanket in the back of David's car to picnic on and maybe scrounged up a candle or two.

And, in those few moments - a tradition was born. We have done this every year since then and this was our 8th year to carry it on. I can't wait for the year we get to do this and celebrate that our house is paid for - we're eagerly working toward this, but it will still be a while.

Having our own little family traditions and moments like this are beauty! Maybe no one appreciates it but those who live within our walls, but it is special and unique and just for us.

Creating family moments like this don't have to take a lot of time or energy. The beauty is often in the tradition, in the being together and in the memories made. Making memories beautiful is one thing that I strive for, love doing and enjoy remembering! The extra details and frills are heightened in our memories making them even more beautiful and a joy to recall.

14 comments:

Ginger said...

What a lovely tradition you are passing on to your children

Kathryn D. Duke said...

how fun and it looks like you choose a cool day to use that nice fireplace!! Really like that pretty quilt too...
Kathy

enjoying my book sooo much..thanks!

*carrie* said...

That's so neat, Monica. Love that you guys have kept this up. Looks so cozy!

Alicia said...

It such a beautiful tradition, se had One of our own: we do a private christmas dinner the 5 of us before to share with out all the relatives and friends, me say our goals achieved trougth the year and make the new ones for next year
Congratulations

Unknown said...

How sweet! We have a very similar tradition at our house. After living with my dear in-laws for 18 months, we were so thankful to have our own home that we slept on mattresses in the living room the first night. That was the only furniture we had in the house. So every year on that same date, we drag out our mattresses and have a living room camp out. We love it!

http://somewhereinthemiddle-missylou.blogspot.com/

Christy Stanton said...

Love this picture!: ) Indeed what beautiful memories you’re making!

Bran said...

That's so fun, Monica! I love traditions and am quite the sentiment! So fun!

Lisa @ Simply Things Family said...

Traditions are so important. We looked at our current home and put in a contract the same night-Valentine's Day. So now that day is celebrated with having our beautiful home. (I, too, am very anxious to pay mine off and would love to have a great celebration when the time comes.)

Wendi said...

I love that you do this! I can see your children carrying on the tradition in their own homes. Sweet!

Flyonthewall said...

I have have a big smile as I read this post... Family traditions mean SO MUCH to those who live within the walls of our home, and sometimes we don't even realize it until we may overlook or try to change one. For as long as I can remember at Christmas time I hung greenery swags above two doorways in our living room. I really don't care for those swags anymore... but, oh my, the year I mentioned not wanting to hang them anymore, my (teenage!) sons said that I absolutely had to hang them because I always had before. Too funny! So up they go every year. Those kinds of ittle "traditions", even when we individually may no longer find beauty in them, seem to have great beauty within the hearts of our loved ones. Thank you, again, for that reminder of beauty!

Shelby said...

I love all of your traditions Monica and it looks like it was a sweet time of fellowship:)

LynnMarie said...

What fun! Good for you.

angie said...

You are so right--the family traditions only have to be enjoyable and meaningful to the members of our own families.
I really like the idea of celebrating the day that we moved into our current home. I'm trying to remember what we had to eat for our first dinner here...probably pizza!

Elise said...

This is probably one of my favorite post of your's!! I am so big on traditions and totally love this one that y'all started. Awesome!!
Elise