Addison Fox: Traditions

I think it’s a pretty safe assumption that you could ask just about anyone about the traditions they’ve grown up with and/or created in adulthood and they could give you several right off the top of their head. Specific holidays celebrated in a certain way with family. A favorite dish that makes it to every Thanksgiving table. A vacation ritual that is followed each and every trip. I’ve got several of my own and I look forward to all of them. But one that’s become a personal favorite is my annual “holiday girls’ dinner.”

Twenty years ago I moved to Dallas. I was in my early 20s and was fortunate to make a group of good friends very quickly. I moved in February so by the time the holidays rolled around I had a group of friends I was actively spending time with. As we were all in the same boat – young and watching our budgets – we decided that instead of buying small gifts for each other, we’d do it up and go to a nice restaurant as our gift to each other and to ourselves.

This tradition has stuck. Although some of the faces at the dinner have changed, for 20 years these are the women I celebrate my life with. We’ve seen each other through life’s ups and downs and I know that will continue, no matter what.

What I also see, when I look around that table now, are women who are older and wiser. Women who have now had some life experience and some miles on our years. We’re not old, but we’re not the young ones any longer. We talk about aging parents and mortgages and friends who are divorcing. We also talk about children’s accomplishments peppered in with our own. We talk about new homes and exotic vacations. We talk about the interesting people we’ve met. Our conversation has changed along with our lives and we’re changing with each other.

There’s something so rewarding each year as I look around that table. These are my friends. The sisters of my heart. These women are my tribe. Holiday girls’ dinner is a tradition I am so deeply grateful for. More important, it’s the people I celebrate that tradition with who are the true source of my gratitude.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in New York and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest two releases, AT LAST from St. Martin’s Swerve and A HUNTER UNDER THE MISTLETOE from Harlequin Nocturne are currently available. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com