Three years ago in December of 2013 my sister and I started a tradition that we have kept up to this day. We had a gathering of our closest friends (no boyfriends/girlfriends allowed), cooked a really big dinner, played dirty Santa and enjoyed each other's company for one night with no interruptions. The reason we excluded significant other's from the party was to ensure that people that weren't dating anyone wouldn't feel that awful feeling that you get when you're the only single one in a group. We only use our cell phones for pictures with each other and then we put them away.

Everyone brings a dish or dessert to contribute to dinner that way all the work isn't put on one person. It gives everyone a chance to show off a little bit, and we get to eat really good food, a win win if you ask me. We pray before dinner, and we eat as much as we can, because why not? Most of all we laugh, hard. That's my favorite part of the night. Joking, reminiscing, and just being surrounded by people that I love and that love me.

Over the years people haven't been able to make it for one reason or another, and we always miss them and continue to invite them in later years. We also make new additions because since the start of this tradition we have gone off to college, gotten married, had babies, and started new careers. All these paths lead you to meet new people and to start to enjoy their souls as much as the old friends you've had for years. Friendsmas is a time that you can make these introductions so your old friends can become just as close to your new friends as you are. I like this feature because it reminds me how much we have changed over the years and how much we have grown, but also how much of a blessing these friends of mine are.

I almost didn't want to have the gathering this year because I live 100 miles away from where it was being held, and it is sometimes stressful to plan. I immediately knew that it was worth it when I started getting texts that said how much everyone was looking forward to it, or how it was all they had been talking about for a week. I think this tradition is one everyone should start because its hard to keep in touch with people after high school, and even if (although hopefully you see them more) you only meet up once a year, it lets your friends know you think about them, love them, and if need be that they always have someone in their corner. After how hard being a ful time student and holding a full time job has been the past year I was overjoyed to be carefree with my friends for the night. It mends your soul even if you didn't know you needed it.