You know...there aren't many people who can say this: 

The same Christmas tradition of traveling a specific place has always been

The Christmas dinner is just how one remembers at age six

The games played are just like the ones played in the elementary years

Eggnog is always present within the fridge- it's also the only time I ever have eggnog

Music is always playing

Baby Jesus is generally rolled over until Christmas

The little magnetic ice skaters are left in the same place by Grandpa's chair

The snowman that flips up is still filled with Hershey Kisses (I still always steal a few)

Waffles are still made by Nicholas

Green bean casserole tastes as good as it always has

Aunt Linda's cookies (particularly buckeyes) are killer

The dining room table is always the clown car that still manages to fit those 11-15 people around the table

A trip to Duff's is just how we like it

A walk to Dash's coffee shop continues to be a morning pastime

Movies with cousins generally occur on two beds pushed together

Farts and belly laughter can be found in every corner

of Meadow Lane

with the same Christmas Birthday calendar hanging in the bathroom

and the little snowman card holder in the kitchen

and the three thousand plastic cups all over the kitchen

no room in the fridge

blankets and makeshift beds everywhere

How lucky I am to have had something to look forward to every year

for quite literally 27 years of my life

And all those traditions and memories have stayed the same

which is just simply incredible 

particularly because we live in a world where

everything always needs to be upgraded

Well...not

200 Meadow Lane 

Because the most important traditions in life are the ones that remain the same

The memories that are so familiar, that if something was missing-you would notice

Traditions so tied to one's heart that your closest friends

are aware of all of these traditions too

and they await gatherings upon your return

from the most magical place in the world

a place everyone knows

Buffalo

Thanks again for another year of family and beautiful people

and love and laughter

games and gatherings

movies and good food and most importantly

the purest form of love

We stand confidently knowing that the start of 2020 will be

one to share with those we love the most