Finding New Christmas Traditions

I’m 26 years old, and this year will be the first time in my life that I won’t spend Christmas with my family. For some of you, that might seem really old to have never been away from home. And for some of you, that might seem way too early. 

This year, Jon and I will be spending Christmas just the two of us in Switzerland, finding new Christmas traditions. I have to admit as we get into the final week before Christmas, I’m a bundle of emotions about it. 

I’m so excited to spend this week traveling through Switzerland. I know it’ll be beautiful and festive. And it holds a special place in Jon’s heart, since the family on his mother’s side comes from there. Traveling with Jon is always my favorite. He’s the ultimate travel companion (not just because he always offers to take my overweight suitcase), and we always make so many wonderful memories together. 

But there’s also a part of me that is a little sad. For my entire life, I’ve traveled home at Christmastime. Even when I was training as an ice dancer, I managed to make it home for 2 or 3 days in between practice. I was lucky enough to get to visit my parents a few weeks ago before another trip to New York, which softened the impact of my first Christmas without them.

And even though I’m going to miss my family and our traditions, like opening Christmas pajamas after dinner at Perry’s on Christmas Eve, I’m excited to create new Christmas traditions with Jon. I guess that’s what growing up is all about, isn’t it? It’s about finding ways to incorporate the new and old traditions into your life. 

There’s absolutely no one in the world that I would want to take this big life step with. I know that there will be many more years ahead of Jon and I filled with time with both our families, and someday a family of our own. So it means a great deal that we are taking this holiday together to celebrate and build up our own set of traditions. 

I’m sure there will be a few tears on Christmas Day. To be honest, I’m getting a little choked up writing this post now. I’m going to miss my parents, my brother and sister, the cat, and the familiarity of our hometown in Texas. But I’m sure there will also be tears of joy as Jon and take this leap into uncharted territory and spend the holiday celebrating our love for each other. 

Xx, Kelsey

PHOTO DETAILS:

This shot was taken last year in Prague, Czech Republic. Jon and I visited with his brother’s family after I returned from Christmas in Texas.