Yes, it's definitely a not-think-too-hard Monday for me, too, so here's a simple one!
Every year, we buy a special Christmas tree ornament, just for "us". Something that has special meaning, to help us remember, and create, some good memories.
This year's is from a trip that we took to the coast, just my wife and I, where we had a fantastic time!
It's really great to look at all the ones we've collected through the years, and remember the good times, as we see theses ornaments hanging on the tree.
JJ
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Okay, here's an old one for me with a new twist. (Note: it was abandoned last year due to the impending doomsday that lay ahead--the big move out).
My sister gave us a Christmas journal as a wedding present 13 years ago--to use as a journal of memories through the years. I only forgot one year (it was packed in a box when we got new carpeting and I couldn't find it)... and I really enjoy reading it.
It's been fun to read the difference between the entries through the years, particularly from the time before we had the girls to after.
And now that D9 now knows where all the booty comes from, it will take on a very different flavor this year too. (Though I keep asking her to stop growing up, she won't comply )
This year, I'll read the entries aloud to the family and ask for input on this year's entry--I've previously been the one to fill in the blanks.
Maybe it's good that we don't have to relive last year all over again?
"There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
One of our rituals are to go buy a live tree! The fun is picking the perfect one! And my H didn't let me down! Thanks for reminding me that my H and I didn't break the ritual, just because we are separated!
Another is we take the girls out shopping for their presents either before or after Christmas. My H is being his old self, and he brought it up! The girls decided we are going after Christmas!
I did go out and buy a few things for them to open Christams day! LOL!
There will be a few rituals we won't be doing this year; like ML on Christmas Eve for one. And there won't be the early morning opening of presents either. There also won't be us all spending Christmas Day evening at his family I will miss all of these things. But, I'm grateful that we will be together during the day and we will be eating lunch together! I carefully picked out every gift this year for my H, something I don't usually do! Cherry chapstick~for those lips I kiss! Special golf balls~for that bad hook he has and to remind him this is a special hobby that him and I share! A hooded, zipped-up front Carhart sweatshirt~to wrap him up and keep him warm when I can't! And camo insulated pants~something he said he'd love to have but couldn't afford. I can't either, but he is worth it! I usaully go out and buy him socks, hankies and a jogging outfit, but, this year, I picked each thing with great love! Hope he realizes it!
JJ, Thanks for reminding us that Christmas rituals with our partners are very important!
Some marriage rituals I started as my h and I seriously started piecing (well maybe it escalated the piecing to have these rituals . My h likes golf so I started golfing and had the kids take it up too. We go Sunday afternoons! (It's so cute h got kids some small clubs too. He's thrilled we partake in his favorite sport!!!)
We also go to Arena Football most Sundays after golf! It's fun to go and yell and root for the Wranglers!
Sunday evenings is movie night! Saturday is our date night!!!
During the summer we go to baseballs games one night a week as a family.
My h is a sports fanatic so a lot that we do is catering to his likes but it pays off cause I've grown to like the sports and really enjoy the benefits of family togetherness!
My W and I take overnight getaways twice a year to a whirlpool suite out of town. We either go to dinner or bring a sushi platter to the room. Once she fed it to me on the way, that was cool. We go dancing or to a show and then back to the room for some romance. We have breakfast in bed the next morning and then do a little shopping. We also go to the Jimmy Buffett concert every year and act like kids again. Our rule is "What happens at Buffett stays at Buffett". We never intend to stop dating each other, it keeps things fresh.
we have no rituals and h has no intention of making any time for rituals..no wonder I've been trying to find a way to truly piece this m back together and continously find myself feeling like it's a waist of time.
Honestly, I think I need some food for thought here myself.
I will miss all of these things. But, I'm grateful that we will be together during the day and we will be eating lunch together!
. My h likes golf so I started golfing and had the kids take it up too. We go Sunday afternoons! (It's so cute h got kids some small clubs too. He's thrilled we partake in his favorite sport!!!)