O Christmas Tree

We decorated our Christmas tree last night.

There, in our shared home, Blake and I hung up the lights, bulbs, trinkets, and ornaments from our travels. I don’t know when we started this habit, but we’ve collected Christmas ornaments and coasters from places we’ve visited over the years.

Like the tiny little teapot from Fortnum and Mason, where we had High Tea in London over the summer.

And then there are the ornaments that carry heavier memories, the ones we picked up along the way during our long-distance visits. 

The one from Mystic, Connecticut, stands out to me because that was the first trip Blake and I took to meet up after my breakdown, after we broke up, and I returned to Boston with my tail between my legs.

I remember when he bought the ornament in a little Mystic gift shop, wondering where it would end up. During that trip to Mystic, we were tentatively feeling one another out, testing the waters to see if we could make it through the pain to some sort of reunion. We didn’t know whether we were getting back together… living together ever again seemed like a long shot.

So it was pretty incredible to see Blake place that ornament on our Christmas tree last night, in our beautiful apartment, where we’ve built a new home together.

It’s not lost on me that this past year has been full of remarkable blessings.

I posted a funny photo of a focaccia bread for Thanksgiving—one, because I was proud of it, and two, because I couldn’t begin to name the number of miracles I’ve witnessed this past year.

I moved back to the place I love to call home. I built a new home with the man I love. I celebrated 5 years of sobriety.

I don’t know if I’ve ever had so much to be grateful for.

So this holiday season, I’m heading in with gratitude. Cranking the Kenny G. Christmas album, counting my blessings, and wishing you a very happy holiday.

One last photo of the tree. My absolute favorite ornament, which is one from Jax’s dad—a perfect Jax replica.