family traditions

Traditions don't start out as traditions.  They start as a simple act.  Maybe it's the dinner you serve on a special holiday.  Or it's the place you go for your anniversary dinner.   Maybe it's the song you play to kick off your vacation.   Or the dessert you serve to celebrate a good report card.  No matter.  When you make those first plans, you aren't thinking about the future.  You are living in the moment.  You are rejoicing in the win.  Or commemorating the milestone.   But before too long you realize that special place, restaurant, dessert or tune is a pleasant reminder of that notable moment.  And you want to savor it.  So you reserve it for those special moments.  And over time that reoccurring act becomes a tradition.  

When I was in college, I loved shopping at the local card shop just off campus.   It was familiar and safe.  And they had Boynton, Lucy and Me, and Suzys Zoo products there.   My roommates and I would go there each week to see what was new and to buy cards for our family and far away friends.  We loved mail and we quickly realized that sending cards was a great way to receive cards.   

In March of my sophomore year, I bought a card for my Aunt's Birthday.  It was funny and sweet and it reminded me of her.  She is a saver.  A recycler.  Growing up I remember spending the night at her house and making crafts out of egg cartons and necklaces out of old buttons and string.  

The card said

I mailed that card in March of 1991.  In June of that year, she returned that very card to me on my birthday.  She was following the directions, after all.  That card has been traveling through the post office ever since.  Over 25 years!  That's over half my life!  With the exception of breathing, I can't think of anything else that I've kept up with for this long!  

Aunt Kate celebrated her birthday this week and this card made its way from Virginia to Delaware.  We don't get to see each other much any more.  But we will forever have this tradition together.  And each March and June we get a meaningful birthday surprise.   We have long run out of space to write, so we include a hand written note on a piece of paper and tuck it inside the card.  This birthday card has become a little journal and is so special to reread each year.  It has captured graduations, weddings, new homes, new jobs, babies and even a grand baby.  

Here's a photo from Christmas 1990.  My aunt is on the couch with my grandparents and I'm in the gray sweatshirt.  My cousin and I are opening our Lucy and Me bears.  Another Krug family Christmas tradition!



What traditions do you have with your family or friends?  Leave us a comment and let us know!  We can't wait to hear all about it!

♡,  kristi