Our First "Change of Plans" Holiday as Parents

This Thanksgiving was supposed to be a big one. My wife's grandma wanted the whole extended family to come together in Kansas to celebrate her birthday. And while I don't mind traveling to see family — that matters to me — being home for holidays has become even more important now that we have a child. Still, for this occasion, we (my wife, myself, our daughter and two pups) packed up the car on Wednesday (and by "packed up," I mean loaded everything short of the kitchen sink) and headed out.

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The Four-Hour Drive

The four-hour drive was actually pretty smooth. Baby girl was the perfect little traveler, our dog Finn slept pretty much the entire time, and our other dog Archie kept popping his head over the seat like he was checking our progress. Our daughter did throw up a little in the car, but we honestly just thought it was car sickness and kept going.

We stayed with my best friend — my sorority sister, my college person, and now fellow girl mom. We've been close since navigating a messy friendship situation in college, and we've stuck through all the big life stuff together. Our girls are eight months apart and both born on the 6th of their month, which still feels like a fun little nod from the universe. Their home is also one of the most relaxing places for our dogs, so everyone settled in easily. We didn't do much — just talked, ate dinner, and enjoyed being with people who feel like home.

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Then That Night, Things Took a Turn

I was nursing my daughter in bed — she was just about to fall asleep — when she suddenly threw up. Not exactly the bedtime routine I had planned. It took her a bit to calm down, but once she did, she slept well. I went into what I call "duty mode," the mode where you don't think too far ahead, you just take care of your child and keep moving.

It was clear: a big family gathering was not the place for her to heal. So we made the easy decision to head home. It was disappointing, but it was also the only choice that felt right. And when we called my wife's grandma to tell her, we found out she'll be in town for Christmas anyway — which made missing the gathering a little easier.

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Heading Home

The drive back was calm. Baby girl slept most of the way, and the dogs seemed to be on the same schedule. We got back around 12:30, stopped at Whole Foods, grabbed what we needed, and headed home to make our own little Thanksgiving.

And honestly… it turned out really sweet.

Everything was homemade — roasted chicken with rosemary, thyme, lemon, and grass-fed butter, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie. My wife made her dinner rolls and green beans. We set the table and had dinner together just like we always do.

Given the circumstances, it was peaceful, intimate, and exactly what we needed.

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What This Year Reminded Me

This year reminded me that Thanksgiving doesn't have to be a big production for it to be meaningful. Your child's health always comes first. And there is always something to be grateful for, even when plans fall apart and everything shifts. God is good.

Not the Thanksgiving we expected — but a really beautiful one in its own way.

Love & Lattes,
Kris