Happy Heritage Day!

It’s Heritage Day in South Africa! Today is a public holiday to commemorate the cultural wealth of this rainbow nation. Some culture groups dress in traditional clothing, make special food, and celebrate with tribal dances. Some gather around the braai (BBQ pit!) - so many, in fact, that many call Heritage Day “National Braai Day”. 

We’re celebrating Ladd Family heritage today.

We woke up early, got dressed (in the outfits I picked out for everyone), and headed to the ocean for family photos. We took advantage of the city being empty on a Tuesday, and went out for breakfast together. Then we came home and brainstormed how to create a mind-blowing Thanksgiving experience for 200 people. (Challenge accepted!) We sat outside together. I worked out while the baby napped, and Chris went on a run. Tonight, instead of another night of reaching out, inviting people in, or normal daily life, we are having Lifa’s dream night: Coconut Cranberry Chicken for dinner (his fave) + a movie. (Aladdin!) 

Baby feeding, story telling, and breakfast.

There’s nothing extra profound about today or this story. But these are the days Lifa will talk about when he tells kids what his childhood was like. I know that because I’ve told him loads of stories today. “When I was a kid, if I said I was bored, my mom would say, ‘Oh, you’re bored? I’ll give you something to do!’ And then I’d run!” 

I once heard someone say that who you really are is determined by what you do when no one’s looking. I think that’s true about family - our identity is most profoundly shaped in the least profound moments. The ones the kids remember and that fly by almost unnoticed. So here’s to a profoundly unprofound heritage day with my boys! I’m marking these moments and remembering them forever.