New Year’s Eve has never been one of my favorite days. I tend to feel more melancholy than reflective, weighed down by the sadness of year’s end and the pressure to make resolutions – something I think is destined to disappoint. This year, as I face my first NYE without Chuck, I realize it was his presence that made the night meaningful for me.  

Neither Chuck nor I is a big partier and especially not on New Year’s Eve. In the early days of our marriage, we would usually spend NYE with his brother and sister-in-law, either at their house or ours. We’d enjoy delicious appetizers and an Orange Julius with vodka, then a surf-and-turf dinner.  Once we had children, the celebrations shifted a little.  There would be an early dinner for the kids with some Martinelli Sparkling Cider and noise makers.  After the kids were asleep, the adults would enjoy our dinner with a little Moscato or a glass of Verdi Asti Spumante. Those were good days.

After my dad passed away, my mom became our NYE date.  We would play some games and eat some snacks, all leading up to the seafood dinner (usually including lobster tail), which Chuck would lovingly prepare for us. Mom would ring in the new year with us, then retreat to the family room’s sofa bed for the night.  Breakfast was another feast prepared by Chuck, and then, of course, watching the Mummers Parade and partaking in a pork dinner. Those were good days.

At some point, my mom stopped spending New Year’s Eve with us.  One of our neighbors on the cul-de-sac usually hosted an open house on the 31st.  More often than not, Chuck and I would eat our special dinner at home and then go over to join the rest of the neighbors.  They loved it when Chuck brought his famous roasted peppers and mozzarella on amazing Italian bread.  It was always a hit.  Sometimes we stayed until midnight, but most years we came home to ring in the New Year – just the two of us.  Those were good days.

That brings me to NYE 2025. I had a couple of offers to spend the night with family members, and I struggled with what I should do until I realized there is no “should” do.  I decided to listen to my heart and stay home alone.  After a quick culinary conversation with my daughter yesterday, I pulled a bag of frozen raw shrimp out of the freezer. I will be making myself a version of shrimp scampi over whatever pasta from the pantry strikes my fancy tonight. (I know this is the biggest surprise many of you will have had in 2025!) This will be a good day.

These are photos of the meal Chuck prepared for us last year – NYE 2024. I may or may not be sharing photos of my creation. This is a hard act to follow!

May your New Year bring you whatever your heart needs – peace, joy, love, and good health.