Making Memories for New Year's Eve

For Auld Lang Syne

High pixel, low-res image of Mr. Bean celebrating the New Year

Growing up in the 90s, I was blessed with the golden era of coming of age films, big family gatherings, roaming the streets on bicycles all day long, and New Year’s Eve celebrations with groups of friends.

Every year, we used to go to my best friend’s house with a handful of other families, and watch the Mister Bean special in the living room. We all stayed up late, waiting for the big ball to drop on television— live from New York— and have a tiny sip of champagne (or something sparkly) with our parents.

There was something magical about those times. Childhood memories can be magical, just for the sake of being children, but there was something particularly great about the good old days. We were social beings back then.

We put on music and danced together. Life was not about staying home and chilling, and scrolling on our phones, saying we will do something big next year. Our lives were outlined by annual traditions, like the New Year’s Eve celebration, which we looked forward to. We didn’t have to ask, “what should we do this year?” and come up empty-handed.

We knew we had somewhere to go, and people would be there.

The years of my young adulthood, I didn’t always know what to do. In fact, those New Year’s Eve celebrations are kind of murky in my mind. I don’t quite remember. Eventually, many holidays became regular days, as my work as a flight attendant had me in an airplane or a lonely hotel room on the most important days of the year.

I remember once being stuck in Germany for 7 days throughout Christmas and New Year’s, as our plane had a mechanical issue. The crew waited for some parts to be shipped overseas, and we took an empty deadhead flight home, once the plane was repaired. That year, my paternal grandmother died while I was there, and I held my grief alone until I could get back to my family of origin to mourn together.

Somewhere throughout the years, tradition became lost, and the magic of the holidays got lost along with it.

The last few years, together with my husband and son, I feel like the magic is coming back. We spent a colourful holiday season in Orlando two years ago with some great friends, and this year we are enjoying the magic of Mexico with family.

In many ways, Mexico reminds me of my childhood in the 90s. People get together. They gather. They celebrate with extended family and groups of friends.

Tonight, we are doing something I have been wanting to do for years. We are going to a big party in a banquet hall at a hotel, alla “When Harry Met Sally.”

One of my favourite parts of the movie is when Harry asks Sally what the quintessential New Year’s song, “For Auld Lang Syne” actually means:

Harry: What does this song mean? My whole life, I don't know what this song means. I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot'. Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances? Or does it mean that if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot 'em?

Sally: Well, maybe it just means that... we should remember that we forgot them, or something. Anyway, it's about old friends.

I don’t have a sequin dress, but like Sally, I will have the people I love the most with me. And together, we will make memories. One day, my son can think back to the good old days of his childhood too.

Happy New Year!