Every year, for the past 12 years, I’ve placed this ornament on our Christmas tree. And every year, as I put it on and take it off, I’m overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and memories that shaped the life we’ve built together.

You see, this isn’t just an ornament—it’s the ornament. The first one Gordon and I purchased as a couple. It’s where our story truly began.

We had only been dating a few months when we decided to take a little “pre-Christmas” trip together. Neither of us really knew what to expect—what happens when two people, still figuring things out, go on their first getaway?

We chose Fredericksburg, a charming little town known for its wineries, its beauty, and Enchanted Rock.

What we found that weekend was more than a scenic hike or a quaint town. We found a love straight out of a movie. The funny part? Neither of us were looking for it—not really.

At the time, my heart was in pieces. I’d lost my fiancé earlier that year, and I wasn’t sure if love was something I’d ever be ready for again. Gordon, on the other hand, was practically the poster boy for bachelorhood—wild, free, and completely uninterested in settling down.

But that weekend changed everything.

The boy who “would never take a relationship seriously” became the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. He was patient when I needed space. Gentle when I felt fragile. He showed me that love could be kind, safe, and steady.

He made me laugh when I thought I’d forgotten how. He brought lightness to moments that felt impossibly heavy. He took my broken heart and helped me piece it back together—one smile, one thoughtful gesture, one quiet reassurance at a time.

That weekend, Gordon taught me that I could trust again. He made me believe in forever when all I’d known was heartbreak and loss.

And so, we bought this ornament together, a little token of a love we were only beginning to discover. Every year, it reminds me of where we started and how far we’ve come.

It’s not just a decoration. It’s a symbol of a love that surprised us both, a love that’s grown stronger with every passing year.

I’ll keep putting it on the tree—and taking it off—for as many years as I’m lucky enough to have. Because this little ornament? It represents everything I never thought I’d have—and everything I hold dear.

Every couple has their own little rituals—the things they do year after year that become part of their story. Sometimes it’s something big and other times, it’s the smaller, quieter moments that hold the most meaning.

But behind every tradition is a beginning, a moment that turned “just something we did” into “something we always do.”

So, what’s a tradition that you and your significant other share? And how did it all start?

Maybe it was an accidental tradition that took on a life of its own, or maybe it was something you created intentionally to celebrate your relationship. Either way, traditions have a way of keeping us grounded, connected, and reminded of why we chose each other in the first place.

I’d love to hear your story—because behind every tradition is a love worth celebrating.