Not Home for the Holidays

It's that time of year when the holiday season is in full swing. Between Halloween and Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas and New Years coming up, this is when I really start to miss home. This is my second winter living in Florida and honestly, it hasn't gotten much easier. As much as I love getting to see Christmas decorations at Disney World every day, nothing compares to Christmas at home and with my family. I miss the small things like hating snow so much during any other time of the year but having it bring so much joy waking up to it on Christmas morning. I miss seeing the Christmas tree lit up with presents underneath it brings back that childhood feeling and spending a little too much time with my family. There are so many things I miss but at the same time, I am so grateful of where I get to work and to see Cinderella Castle lit up every night. I get to experience a truly magical time of year in the most magical place.

Later on this week, I am flying home to spend some time with family for an early Christmas. Every year, my moms side of the family and I go to Macy's in downtown Chicago to eat at the Walnut Room and do some shopping. It is my favorite holiday tradition that I refuse to miss. For the past five years, we've had to schedule it around work and school but it's something that I will always go back home for. This is honestly a tradition I want to keep going with my future family one day because it was such a big part of my life growing up. I cherish it even more now as an adult because of my crazy work schedule and not seeing my family as often. I am not looking forward to the cold weather though. I am thoroughly enjoying my 80 degrees December and I know my mom is very jealous because of it.

I love working for Disney but the worst part about it is not being home for the holidays. But to make that a bit easier, I found my people here. I was blessed with incredible roommates who are always down for Christmas movies and cookies, awesome coworkers who make my days a little brighter by their goofiness and the people I get to spend my holidays with, and a family that FaceTimes me at all family events. Even though I'll be working, I can't wait to spend the rest of this year with the individuals who have become my part of my family.