tradition.

growing up with such a big family was a lot of fun. and since i never knew what having one set of parents was like, i never felt like i was missing out. when people felt sorry for me for having divorced parents, i would remind them that i got two birthdays and two christmas'. as a child, two is always better than just one.

i also got the opportunity to travel more. vacations with both sides of the family. traveling has become one of my greatest hobbies because of my circumstances. traveling came on special occasions, holidays, and summer vacation. the holiday traveling, the traditions. i am a sucker for tradition.

on my mom's side, we would always go to a different state park (in ohio) for thanksgiving. the whole family (at least everyone who could make it) met at the cabins. we would play games, cook, hike, and just enjoy. i truly am thankful for every thanksgiving we spent at those cabins. this tradition has gone by the wayside, i think our individual families started expanding and it just didn't work anymore. but oh, the memories. not showering for days, getting lost in the woods for hours (but always finding our way back), forgetting to pack the turkey (uh-oh papa!).... the list could go on for hours. being around family is important, savoring tradition.

on my dad's side, we would spend every easter down in florida at suzanne's mom's (florence) house. now, this tradition started long before i was around. and for a few years, my dad thought i was too young to go. so megan would go and i would sit at home, seething with jealousy. and rightfully so, because when i was old enough... so much fun was had. florence lived outside of ft. lauderdale, in a golf community, delray dunes. we would take golf cart rides at night when the course was closed, my older siblings driving and me holding on for dear life! during the day, we usually headed to the ocean club, where you could order whatever you wanted, a child's dream. for me that included a heavy diet of shirley temples and chocolate milkshakes. it was truly the life. this tradition ended when florence passed away, and we were all truly sad to see it go.

thanksgiving and easter. two traditions i valued highly as a child, and have fond memories of today. i hope in my future, tyler and i will begin to start our own traditions that our future children can cherish.