It is one of my most favorite times of the year, New Year’s Eve. My family has always had a tradition of spending it together. We splurge on food items like lobster, shrimp or steak. I stock up on plenty of Welch’s Sparkling Grape Juice. And I always buy a new game for us to play.
Most years we also watch a “Three Stooges” marathon. Some years we toast the New Year in while sitting in our hot tub. Other years my eyes are barely open as the clock strikes midnight. But the point is that we are always together.
So I was more than surprised when my 17-year-old son mentioned that his friend wanted him to come over and spend New Year’s Eve with his family. Doesn’t he know this is our time to spend together?
I looked at my husband; waiting for him to be the one to say what was on my mind, “No, you can’t. We are spending it together.” He already knew what I was thinking by the look on my face and instead of saying what I thought he should say, he responded, “Oh, just let him.”
I couldn’t believe it. My husband was willing to break tradition. But guess what my son’s biggest concern was? That he get shrimp. The only reason he was hesitating on wanting to go to his friend’s house is because we would be having shrimp…nothing about being together.
It is times like these when I really have to evaluate my expectations. A 17-year-old has a choice to spend New Year’s Eve with a friend or his family. Most of them will pick their friends and I have to learn to not take it personally.
In the end, I left it up to him. By the way, his friend’s family will be serving shrimp too.
I didn’t want to put a guilt trip on my son. He already knows how I feel. He will be 18 in April. It is times like these I feel the need (not the want) to cut those apron strings.
I’m still waiting on his decision but no matter what, I plan on enjoying the ringing in of a New Year. Oh, and guess what? Just as I finished writing this blog, I mean literally a few seconds later, my 14-year-old daughter hands me a flyer for a New Year’s Eve party at a youth sponsor’s house. She wants to go…
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