Last year, I was in San Diego ~ blissfully unaware it was Thanksgiving. Alone in the living room, the only thing on my mind was Black Friday sales.
I snagged a Dyson Airwrap, thanks to a sweet deal. The color enslaved me ~ I just had to have one. I had a chance to head to LA, but it didn't feel right. I thought I was fine, until I realised I missed something far more important than a festive meal.
This year was different.
01A Real Thanksgiving
Today I celebrated my first real Thanksgiving with family I just met in New Jersey ~ my cousin's family. It wasn't just a meal; it was an experience.
We shared a traditional American Thanksgiving feast: ham, turkey, potatoes, gravy, sprouts, mac'n'cheese, and cranberry sauce.
But the real feast? The storytelling.
As their only guest, I was in awe. Their stories were rich with emotion, laced with humour, and filled with playful teasing. Every anecdote was a performance ~ expressions, gestures, voices. I was captivated.
02“Abie, Tell Us Your Story”
I froze. “Me?” ~ “Yess, tell us how you are now.”
Boom. I wasn't prepared for that. But there I was, eyes on me. No escape. “Ok… let's try.”
I began hesitantly, but something shifted. The more I spoke, the more natural it felt. Nerves slowly melted away. I tried adjusting my tone and accent to fit the room ~ challenging but fulfilling. Suddenly, I was part of the rhythm of that table, weaving my own story into theirs.
Reflecting on it now, I realise all those journaling sessions and 1-on-1 conversations I'd had while traveling had prepared me for this moment. Every retelling sharpened the edges of my story. And tonight? This was my best version yet.
Their energy lifted mine. No “um's”, no awkward pauses. I just flowed. At one point I paused, and Ate Princess leaned in ~
“Please, continue.”
I knew she was hooked.
For the first time, I didn't just tell a story ~ I owned it. And in that moment, something powerful happened. I felt that shift.
I was no longer a guest at their table. I was family.
03Surprise Gifts + Lucky #7
We kept the conversation rolling with French macarons and blueberry chiffon cake that tasted like heaven. Then, Tita Tutay produced a gift exchange. The rules were simple: based on the number you picked, you received a gift.
I had lucky #7 ~ my favorite number (next to 17, of course).
Gift #1 was revealed: a pouch. Cute, but I was aiming higher. Gift #2: a Tory Burch pink wallet. Not bad ~ if this was the best gift, I could make it work.
Then Gift #7 was called.
A brown, matte-finished wallet ~ perfectly matching my vibe. Elegant, timeless, effortlessly aligned with my aesthetic. I placed it next to my phone and just like that ~ boom ~ destiny.
Maybe it was coincidence. Or maybe I'm better at manifesting than I thought.
Storytelling is a superpower.
Tonight I experienced firsthand how a story can break barriers and build bonds. Not just for the food, the gifts, or even the stories ~ but for the magic of connection, laughter, and a bit of manifestation thrown in for good measure.
I want more moments like this.
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