A Family Tradition

Growing up in a military family had some distinct advantages such as visiting many different states throughout my childhood and also making friends all over the country. I've lived in Salt Lake City (UT), Pensacola (FL), Corpus Christie (TX), Jacksonville (FL), Providence (R.I.), Pax River (MD), Omaha (NE), Port Hueneme (CA), then back to Florida again where we have been ever since. As you can see, we moved frequently, and though I don't remember each place, there were many memories made along the way as well as the start of a new family tradition.

At least three times my dad was deployed to Antarctica (three months at a time) and missed several year birthdays, so we began celebrating half-birthdays. (One time while explaining this tradition to somebody, this person asked me to figure out when their half-birthday was! Funny, huh?). Each time a half-birthday came for any of the kids, we were able to pick a restaurant to go out to dinner with dad. There was usually a small gift involved also. This was just dad and daughter or dad and son time, which is one of my favorite childhood memories.

James and I are continuing that tradition with Eliana (except the military part!). The dinner out with dad hasn't started just yet, but we do celebrate Eliana's half-birthday every September 28 and have added one element to it. I make a half-cake to commemorate the day. Thankfully the cakes (though there have been only two so far) have gradually improved.

Thank you, mom and dad, for starting such a wonderful and memorable family tradition! Dad, can we go out to dinner tonight? :o)