Living In The Mix

Christmas is a season FULL of tradition. Tradition is so important, because it brings people together. It provides opportunities to create memories. Traditions are an integral part of family culture, because it helps us feel a sense of belonging, safety, and love.  Growing up, both Emma and I spent Christmas with only our immediate families. We didn't travel to grandparents' homes or others. We didn't host or go to parties. Christmas was always a simple, small, intimate holiday spent at home with just my parents and siblings.  This tradition is something Emma and I have carried on with our family. We spent our very first Christmas in our 1-bedroom basement apartment. Just the two of us with our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree. We were between semesters at BYU-Idaho, and if you've ever been in Rexburg during the holidays it is practically a ghost town. All the students have gone home. Of the married students who lived in our complex we could have counted on one hand