Making new memories…

Thanksgiving 2023 has been filled with such great moments. So many things to be thankful for. Family, friendships, food, and an unexpected phone call.

Our company gives us a 1/2 a day closure most days before a national holiday. Wednesday was one of those appreciated gems. It allowed me, guilt-free time to go spend with Kenzie at lunch and then at the movies.

Post-Covid, I haven’t been much of a movier-goer. Both because I fell out of the habit of going, and because unlike pre-Covid times, there just aren’t as many movies released like there used to be. Not movies I am super interested in seeing any way.

I don’t read a lot of fiction these days, but back in the day, I was an avid digester of the genre. WWII fiction was my sweet-spot, followed by dystopian worlds – most of those books fell to YA books for a few years. Kenzie mentioned that the ‘Hunger Games’ had put out a prequel and I was intrigued, but not incredibly hopeful.

I enjoyed the first book. A quick read with an intriguing storyline. The movie, was average at best. A combination of a lower budget I always thought. ‘Catching Fire’ (the second book) was an interesting story and a great screen adaptation in comparison. The third book was, well, pretty awful and the movie matched, so I didn’t have high hopes for the prequel.

I was pleasantly surprised.

The story was centered around one of the main characters, President Snow. His backstory and how the ‘Hunger Games’ came to be such a celebration in the capital. The writing was well-done, the actors mostly unknowns (who were really good in their roles), and the movie itself had a budget. Kenzie and I both agreed that it might be tied with the second movie for best-of-the-franchise.

Once we made it back home, Thanksgiving prep was underway. Frank was already making his amazing butternut squash soup! It takes so much time, but is so amazing. Between our family and Mel’s family, there is an allergy festival going on, and this version of the soup is both gluten and dairy-free. And super creamy, thick and tasty!

I got to work on setting up our table. I haven’t had the opportunity to really deck out a table-scape in I don’t know how long. It’s probably one of my favorite things about entertaining. And having a best friend who catches all the little details — priceless.

Thanksgiving morning was game on. Lots of food prep and cooking happening from sun up to the time we all gathered around the table. My feet hurt, my back hurt, I was hot, and tired, and couldn’t have been happier! Once all the preparations were complete, Jeff offered the prayer. It was a beautiful moment of reflection of all His provision in our lives.

After dinner, there was a game, lots of laughter and banter. And there was a moment there, sitting on the couch where my heart actually swelled. Here I was, in my own home, sitting with both my family (sans Jake) and my chosen family, making new memories, and this is just the beginning.

Friday morning came early as Kenzie works retail and had the dreaded Black Friday shift. It’s our tradition to drive her to work that day so she doesn’t have to worry about parking, or driving home when she’s exhausted. So 4:30a we were on the road. More time with my girl, which I know is fleeting, so I’ll take it!

I napped on and off, Frank picked our girl up at her shifts-end, and a while after she came home, our friend Bea stopped by with her son Jack. Bea moved to Charleston earlier this year. And though I’m super excited for her new adventures, I miss having her close by. It was so good to see them both, and catch up a bit.

Saturday was a day of rest, and 30-minutes of creativity!

Mel asked me to pull out my camera and snap a few of her family since their middle kid was home from college. It’s been a hot minute since I dusted off my tools and looked through the viewfinder. And if I’m being honest, photographing Mel’s family has always been my most nerve racking endeavor. Both because I’m super vested in the outcome, and because we’re so close Mel has no problem telling me what she’s thinking, whether it be an idea she has or that she doesn’t like a particular pose I’m suggesting. This time was no different, however, I kept calm and for once treated the shoot like I would for any other client, and you know what? I really like the outcome. They are a beautiful family and they bought a beautiful property here in the Carolinas, and I felt good about capturing both.

Saturday night brought an interesting phone call. My brother Steve called and put me on speaker because my nephew Josh had some questions about our genealogy. One of the gifts I gained being part of the Mormon religion was learning to collect and seek out my heritage through genealogy. Apparently a relative connected through our line reached out to Josh and sparked an interest. As we started talking I heard a voice, an interjection in our conversation that was familiar but at first I couldn’t place it. Then it dawned on me. It was Sam. My oldest brother. It’s been roughly 26 years since I’ve spoken with him.

It’s a long story as to why the distance between us, but that is for another day. After I had answered the majority of Josh’s questions, Sam and I had a short, and mostly awkward conversation catching each other up on the last three decades as best you an in a limited chat. There were awkward pauses along the way, but in the end, it was really good to hear his voice. I had literally just shared a story from my childhood and the impact (for good) Sam had had on me during those early years with a friend. I never would’ve imagined having a new interaction with him after all this time. I am thankful for the call and the time. I hope we can continue chatting from time to time. Life is short and the distance is, well, just silly at our ages.

Today will round out the weekend starting with Church. Man, Ryan (our pastor) brought it last week with the opening of Hebrews. If you are looking for a local church here in Lake Wylie, come check out New River (9:00a and 11:15a). Something special is happening there. I haven’t taken notes so furiously in a while. I am eager to hear what today will bring.

Tonight Kenzie and I will end cap the weekend by heading over to Mel’s for a ‘girl’s night’, where we will watch a Hallmark movie. Not just any Hallmark movie, but the Hallmark Biltmore Christmas movie.

I couldn’t have dreamt up a more cherished weekend if I tried. This one set the bar high. So many things I am thankful for in 2023. My family, friendships, a job that though stressful, I enjoy, and it comes with a boss who is as much a friend as a leader. We have a lovely home, and a solid church family. We have been richly blessed for sure. And I appreciate it all. The holidays always bring a touch of nostalgia – I miss my parents very much this time of year. I have now lived almost more of my life without them than I had lived with them. I always feel their presence through their influence on my life. Who I am, what I do, decisions I make. I am thankful I had them for the time I did. And I know they would be so happy with our little family and how life has turned out for us.

Happy Thanksgiving to you who stuck with me to the end of this post. I hope your day/weekend was filled with memories in the making as well.