For most people, December 23rd is just another day that falls right before the holidays. To this group of guys, it signifies everyone returning home to help celebrate one of the greatest traditions and holidays of our lives. As we get older, time decides to move faster and faster; we find ourselves further from the street we all grew up on. We knew change was going to happen one day and even though we have absolutely no idea of what life has in store for us from one year to another, we have grown accustomed to the one constant that remains steadfast…Eve Eve.

Most people would laugh if they were told that this tradition originated in a family driveway in a crappy Red Dodge Neon (yes, the car), in a town that practically created a national holiday when it was announced that a Burger King would be built. Yes, that’s exactly how it started.

This tradition was originally an escape for the Ward brothers, Devin and Colby. When your parents aren’t appreciative of holiday cocktails or ruckus being made inside the house, you get creative and find new ways to celebrate the wintery holiday. Our method: head outside into the optimistic snowy weather with a stack of Christmas CD’s, and sing your heart out.

The Eve of Christmas Eve tradition quickly grew. More and more friends decided they would also like to enjoy a few holiday cocktails while belting out “Five Golden Rings” without any reproach from any adult. Two became three, three became five, and before we knew it, a second vehicle needed to be added to the driveway lineup.

It wasn’t until a few years ago, we found The Strong Cabin, a “Christmas Miracle” nestled in the woods with just enough rustic charm to make you feel like your sleigh has just made it over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house. This would become our holiday home.

Besides the tradition of just having our holiday party on December 23rd, every year, for almost twenty years, we have consistently built new yearly traditions into our reunion, including scavenger hunts, beer pong tournaments, and our fan-favorite, professional family Christmas photos. For nearly a decade, we have gathered together to have one lucky photographer take holiday family photos of us. As you will see, we have a blast doing this. But it’s not always about us, we also like to bring happiness to those around us. By choosing locations that are in public, we help bring laughter and smiles to anyone around us.

Today, we find ourselves in a wide array of professions. From chiropractor and bartender, to police officer and medical professionals, we truly are a diverse group. Some of us are married, while others are dads. Some of us divorced while others are still searching. Life is forever changing and it’s important to us to always remember that. Relationships change, evolve, and end. We bicker and fight, hug and make up. We don’t always see eye-to-eye but we all know we are there for one another. December builds anticipation for one of the greatest holidays all year, we get to recreate that special “night before Christmas” feeling we remember from our childhoods. We are truly blessed to be able to relive that feeling every year while being reminded that family is truly the best present during the holidays.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.