Holiday Replay
There is an interesting aspect to marriage that I failed to fully appreciate until this weekend. Specifically, when you get married, you are no longer a member of only one family. As one would expect, this can complicate things around the holidays when it is expected for you to go socialize with relatives. Over the past two days I have experienced a Christmas double-take, and it makes me wonder if this sort of holiday replay is something I should expect at every major holiday from now on.
Now, before I get into it, let me clarify that doubling up on holiday celebrations is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. The little kid in me is thrilled to be receiving twice as many presents, while the adult in me recognizes the expectation of providing twice as many. Similarly, twice as many festive social gatherings is twice the fun, but also twice the drive. It can be a bit exhausting at times.
Unfortunately, my wife and I don’t have the luxury of resting from our time with family just yet. Tomorrow we begin packing so that we can move into a new apartment later this week in preparation for me to start my new job on Friday. It’s certainly a lot to do when most people are relaxing. The change is certainly welcome, particularly the new job, but the timing will be a bit rough.
I suppose it’s true that people who say they don’t have anything to complain about are invariably lying. One can always find fault in one’s current situation, no matter how much of an improvement it may be. I’ll be trying my best to look on the bright side of things rather than dwelling on the added hassles they entail, the holidays included.