When I have my family around me, there really isn’t much more that I need. So imagine this past week, where I not only had my family around, but there was all of my favorite food, my favorite sport playing on TV, perfect weather, Matthew’s friends we hadn’t seen in two years, and so much love. It was everything I needed and wanted in one amazing holiday.

Of course, there are the familial tensions. There are memes and hashtags and even SNL shorts devoted to them, so you know there must be some truth behind them. And with a family as big as mine and the added pressure of ten (!) guests, it was never going to be all roses and daisies. Or in this case/season, holly and pumpkins.

So did we get along the whole time? No, we didn’t. Did someone forget I’m 26 with a kid and not the brat they could boss around 15 years ago? Definitely. Did we love each guest who had somehow gotten access to our table? Well, the holidays are about kindness. Did I have to take a moment, find an empty room and just breathe? More than once.

But when I have my family around me, there really isn’t much more that I need. So bring on the tension and sibling rivalries and guests and moments alone. Bring it all on. Because at the end of the day, the beginning of the day and every single moment in between, I knew there was no other place I’d rather be. And when you have a place like that, a place that is complicated and requires effort, a place that is warm and fun and full of love, that’s when you know you’re home.

And I am grateful.  So, so grateful.

Happy Sunday, everybody.