I love traditions and rituals. They help to create a sense of culture, normalcy, and really bring people together. Being a transplant in Seattle, it was a must for me to not only build a strong community, but create traditions with that community. Over the past 15 years, I have cultivated a wonderful life full of amazing people of multiple generations. It brings the kind of fullness and joy to my life that supports my thriving. I am a people person. I love being around people. I love connecting with people. I love doing life with people. And having traditions makes those connections deeper and richer.
One tradition I have grown to absolutely love and cherish over the past five years is an annual trip to the pumpkin patch! Okay, let me go ahead and state the obvious. I am the world’s greatest auntie. This is probably not new information as I am not shy about sharing this tidbit of information. I LOVE my nieces and nephews – those who are actual family and chosen family – and the crew gets larger each and every year. My people like creating amazing little people and I am here for it! So, when my linesisters mentioned they were taking their littles and not so littles to the pumpkin patch all those years ago, I was all in. I like the cheesy simple pleasures of life.
This year was extra special because my twin nieces turned the big 16. They no longer live in Seattle, but they came home to celebrate this monumental milestone in life with their family. We had a scary sweet 16 party Friday night, and then made the trip to Remlinger’s Farm Saturday for the rides and the fun. It’s crazy to think we’ve been doing this since the kids were little and before some of them even existed! To be able to look back at the pictures and see how much the babies have grown is a mind trip. I am always aware that time is passing, but after you get a certain age, you notice the changes in your own life less and less. Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch reminds me how deep our connections are and just how much this community is my family.
I’m not gonna lie, Remlinger Farms is that girl. They have an abundance of rides and attractions for the whole family. There are instagramable photo backdrops located throughout the park, and I never shy away from having my own personal photoshoots. But the kids aren’t the only ones growing and changing each year. Remlinger Farms continues to get better each year. This year they had a whole arcade and beer garden! There was even live music in the restaurant!
This annual tradition is by far one of my favorites and I’m so glad my linesisters extended the invitation all those years ago. Cheers to the traditions that add all the good things to your life!
