Home for the Holidays: An Epic Tale

Around October I began to get a little homesick. I love my apartment here in Minneapolis and the great friends that I've made, and I had seen my younger sister and my dad with the last year. It had, however, been a year since I had seen my mom, and over 2 years since I had visited with my older sister, her husband and my niece and nephew. I decided to go home for Christmas. I purchased a plane ticket and told no one but my older sister. I wanted to make sure they would be around, but wanted to surprise the rest of my family. So the story begins...

After a wonderful month decorating the apartment for the holidays and inviting friends over for the festivities, I planned for my departure on December 22nd. Until this point I had been telling my family I was working the whole week, and would only have time to Skype with them on Christmas. After talking to my mother, I realized I had to tell my dad about my plan, sort of. My mom wanted to send me presents, and was demanding some kind of list that I couldn't give her. With my dad on the phone I explained only that they shouldn't SEND me anything. It took a couple of tries, but he caught on, and told me he would play along and hide my gifts from my mom (which I am sure was no easy task). Everything was set to go, and my friend Josh was ready to house-sit and watch the dogs. At 3 a.m. we got ready, and headed to the airport. A light snow was beginning to fall, a prelude of things to come for us all.


When my flight landed in Chicago, I kicked back with The Silmarillion, and watched people. Suddenly, I saw what appeared to be a familiar face. It couldn't be, but it was! My old friend Jason from Mt. Pleasant was standing right in front of me--how surreal! We had a few minutes to chat and catch up before he caught his flight to Flint and mine to Grand Rapids. The holidays are certainly full of magic and surprise, aren't they? After arriving at my destination, I was greeted by my best friend Laurel and her husband, Tony, who I also hadn't seen in well over a year. We ate pizza, and homemade hamburgers (Thanks Tony!) and played Monopoly and Rock Band. It was an amazing day that ended all too soon.




On the 23rd, Laurel drove us to Roscommon, MI to surprise my mother and sister. Of course, we had to stop for the best Mexican food ever, Los Palominos, in Mt. Pleasant. We also stopped to see our good friend Pam, the manager of our old apartment complex. The trip had had only been one great event after another. Then we arrived at my family's house.

I slipped in the door quietly, and set down my bags just as our dog, Max, began to bark softly. My mom stepped out of the kitchen and her face, well, I'm not sure how to describe it, but I tear up just thinking about the reunion that followed. Beth (my younger sister) and Mom hugged me and we cried and laughed at the surprise. Seeing Laurel at the airport had brought me to tears, and now, almost my whole family was together. L, that includes you too! As we settled in for snacks and stories, and Mom began to get a hold of herself, I knew that I had received my greatest gift: being home.


I spent the next two days relaxing and celebrating the season with my family, and barely slept on Christmas Eve. I felt like I was 6 again. In the morning, I opened presents with my family and ate a wonderful breakfast quiche that my mom makes by hand. Delicious now that I like mushrooms. Oh! My presents. My dad had taken the shipping boxes and procured a fake receipt to show my mom so she would "know" they had been shipped. Dad told me before I left Minnesota that I needed to know they were wrapped, and that there was a tin of Christmas cutout cookies inside. That way Mom would believe I had gotten the package. Clever! I'm just surprised that my dad only ate 2 or 3 of my cookies!
As the snow kept falling across the whole Midwest, we waited for my older sister, Melanie, and her family to arrive. I couldn't believe how much the kids had grown up! My nephew had been burping on my shoulder the last time I saw him, and now he was tearing through presents with gusto. Seriously, they were like elves possessed. My grandfather came for dinner and we enjoyed a wonderful Christmas ham (though still not as good as the crab legs from the night before).


The next day was spent at my grandmother's house, where I was the one surprised. My mom's sister had decided to bring her family up to celebrate Christmas. I'm getting teary-eyed again, but I hadn't seen these guys in years! We spent the whole afternoon catching up, laughing and having a great time; I got a little drunk, but who cares! I was able to meet my cousin Conor's wife for the first time, and boy, is she a peach! The evening ended with a long snowy drive home, and a wonderful night's sleep.


Dad drove me down to the airport on Sunday (far too early, by the way) where I waited for a flight to Chicago, delayed by snow. I ate dinner at O'Hare and waited for another delayed flight to Minneapolis. I finally landed with ears popping after a turbulent flight. the trip had been wonderful, but I had one last surprise coming.
Not so much a surprise, but instead a welcome sight. Josh and I had been friends for a while, and had recently started spending a lot of time together. As our friendship had grown into something deeper, I realized over the holidays that something more wonderful was developing. So now I am home in Minneapolis with my other family. My two playful and adoring dogs, Maya and Annika, and my sweet and handsome boyfriend, Joshua.

This is one for the books guys. It couldn't have been more joyous. Here is wishing you all the blessings and joys of a fabulous New Year. More to come...

There is no place like home for the holidays, no matter how far away you roam. When you long for the sunshine of a friendly gaze, for the holidays you can't beat home sweet home.