Our First Blended Holiday: From Solo Traditions to Shared Joy

For years, it was just my daughter and me. We built our holidays around what we wanted, when we wanted, without needing to factor in anyone else’s opinions. This Thanksgiving, though, was something entirely new. It was our first blended holiday—spent with my significant other, my bonus daughter, and his Florida family.

A Sistership Blossoms

Both girls are only children, but despite the seven-year age gap, I watched a beautiful sisterhood bloom before my eyes. They even saved each other in their phones as “sissy.” My heart overflowed with joy, often spilling down my cheeks as happy tears.

Firsts Everywhere

This trip was full of firsts:

✈️ Our first plane ride together as a family, complete with airport snacks and giggles.

📸 A beach photo shoot with Erin Spence Photography in Melbourne, Florida—fun, easy, and stunning results.

🦃 Thanksgiving dinner outdoors under the Florida sun, with Ibises flying overhead.

🏖️ A stroll through Cocoa Beach the city of “I Dream of Jeanie”, including a stop at the RonJon Surf Shop where I found a t-shirt that reminded me of my childhood and watching the sun dip below the horizon from the pier.

🎢 A whirlwind Disney Park Hopper day—Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot—all in one chilly (55 degrees in Florida), magical marathon.

The Joy of Blending

Blending families can be challenging, but this trip reminded me how blessed we are. Both girls were open-minded enough to give their parent’s new partner a chance—and even more, to embrace the idea of being part of a duo instead of an only child. Watching them laugh together in matching jammies, pitch in with Thanksgiving prep, and create inside jokes was proof that love can expand in unexpected ways.

We came home with treasured photos, new traditions, and memories that will last a lifetime. Family isn’t defined only by bloodlines—it’s defined by love, effort, and the willingness to embrace new chapters.

So, here’s to all the blended families navigating new waters. May your holidays be filled with firsts, laughter, and happy tears. And if you’ve found your own rituals or stories in blending, we at KTCWK would love to hear them.