Heartstrings

When I was little, I came from a home that didn't recognize many traditions. My mother did her best, but being from another country, she really didn't know how to incorporate Western traditions into our home. And because of her harsh and humble upbringing, she didn't have the memories to incorporate Asian traditions either. So I found myself desiring that sense of identity even before I got married.

When I started dating Dale I would look forward to visiting his mom's house at the beginning of every season. She would decorate her table to match the seasons...paper mache Santas, raffia Easter trees, Spring tulips, poinsettias... Dale grew up with all this and probably took for granted, but it was such a draw for me. As soon as we got married, I collected nativities and Easter eggs and hearts to rotate through the season. I started establishing certain traditions in our home, even before we started having kids. I am not sure Dale even realized it :).

Then when we started having kids, traditions started taking roots...

It's a Wonderful Life played during Christmas tree decorating...elaborate birthday dinners picked by the birthday person... special, fancy Valentine's dinner... green mashed potatoes on St. Patrick's Day...

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Through the years I have questioned myself on the traditions I have started. Sometimes it seems like a lot of work, and I have tried to streamline many of them along the way. But at the end of the day, I am glad that Dale and I poured ourselves in taking the time to make those memories. In our big family, sometimes people can get lost in the shuffle. Maybe someone didn't listen to his sibling long enough when she was describing her day. Or maybe someone needs an extra dose of love and affirmation. Traditions seem to help ground our family. It makes us stop and really focus on those who live with us under the same roof. 

When everyone goes their own way and begin their own families, I pray that they will remember the times we invested in them through love, words of affirmation, prayers and celebrations. I pray this will help tie our family's heartstrings together . I pray that these roots of traditions will blossom into love in their hearts and help stabilize them in a shaky, harsh world. 

And I pray that they will always know that no matter where their worlds may take them, they will always have a place at our table...green mashed potatoes and all. :)

Our "fancy" Valentine's Dinner

Making homemade pizza for our dinner