Tradition

I am half way through our first Christmas apart in 9 years...

Tonight I definitely missed the butterflies from him pulling into my driveway every year and trying to rush me out the door to make our annual Chinese dinner with his grandparents and parents. We always dressed up so nicely and I couldn't wait for him to see me all dressed up and I couldn't wait to see him!

No Chinese dinner this year. He is gone and his grandfather is sick.

I missed sitting next to him on the couch as we plowed through our gifts from my parents. I miss him analayzing every one of my gifts and attempting to put it together, before he even finishes unwrapping all of his.

This year, my little brother's first girlfriend joined us.

Christmas morning at his house has been my ultimate favorite where we spend hours opening gifts and laughing at anything and everything.

This year because both of his siblings have serious relationships and must attempt the daunting task of splitting time, everyone must be on the road early tomorrow morning, we opened gifts tonight.

Before all of the festivities, I came close to throwing myself a pity party, before I realized some traditions fade, but I should enjoy the ones that stay.

My mom, sister, and I went for our annual mani and pedi on Christmas Eve and just gossiped about all the good stuff happening in our and everyone elses lives.

I made it half-way through my first Christmas without him in 9 years because of my crazy family, his sweet, funny family, and my beautiful puppies.

I know some traditions will go away, but as cliche as it may sound, the love in my family room and his living room tonight will never, ever fade.