The ritual of shared experiences.
If your love language is quality time, then this is for you. What do you give the person who has it all? A special time together. For holidays we have been trying to intentionally do more of this. We all went to see "A Christmas Story" with my husband's family. My Hunnie and I stayed a night out in a hotel and stayed out until like 2 am! My girlie gets a date with Daddy over the winter break (they are going fishing), and my boy gets a date (I mean, cool hang out time) with me.
One of my favorite traditions is the tradition of tea. Vic and I have been friends since we were at YL camp in high school. We used to go to this little antique shop in Vegas where we could play dress up with ridiculous hats and gloves. We went to an awesome shop in the city when our girls were teeny, tiny-- in fact too tiny for tea- so we made a vow to take them to tea in England when they turn 16. Since then, we have taken them with us: down to Palo Alto, up to Japantown and a few spots in between.
On a special trip to NYC last year, my friend Charity and I went to tea at the Plaza! Even though we were only there for a few days, it was a highlight and quite divine. Yes, it costs money. Yes, it costs time. But these special experiences with the people I love are deposits into relationships that I want to care for. These special times are memories and opportunities to listen to one another, to put aside distractions and be present. Presence is the best "present" I received this year.
If your love language is quality time, then this is for you. What do you give the person who has it all? A special time together. For holidays we have been trying to intentionally do more of this. We all went to see "A Christmas Story" with my husband's family. My Hunnie and I stayed a night out in a hotel and stayed out until like 2 am! My girlie gets a date with Daddy over the winter break (they are going fishing), and my boy gets a date (I mean, cool hang out time) with me.
One of my favorite traditions is the tradition of tea. Vic and I have been friends since we were at YL camp in high school. We used to go to this little antique shop in Vegas where we could play dress up with ridiculous hats and gloves. We went to an awesome shop in the city when our girls were teeny, tiny-- in fact too tiny for tea- so we made a vow to take them to tea in England when they turn 16. Since then, we have taken them with us: down to Palo Alto, up to Japantown and a few spots in between.
On a special trip to NYC last year, my friend Charity and I went to tea at the Plaza! Even though we were only there for a few days, it was a highlight and quite divine. Yes, it costs money. Yes, it costs time. But these special experiences with the people I love are deposits into relationships that I want to care for. These special times are memories and opportunities to listen to one another, to put aside distractions and be present. Presence is the best "present" I received this year.