Family, Food, and Full Circles: My Reunion Reflections

Something is grounding about returning to where your roots are planted, even if the branches have stretched far and wide over the years. This July, I flew up to Easthampton, Massachusetts, for a much-needed family reunion, and though it was small and a little rainy, it brought a lot of feelings to the surface that I didn’t expect.

Our Journey

I flew out of DFW with my little brother Quinn and his fiancée Taylor. We were lucky enough to dodge parking fees thanks to Taylor’s brother, Trent, who dropped us off and picked us up—shoutout to him for saving our wallets! We landed at Bradley International Airport in Hartford County, Connecticut, on July 24th, flying in on American Airlines. From there, we made our way to Easthampton, Massachusetts, where we stayed through the 27th at my grandma’s house, tucked away in the mountains.

In-Flight Reading

On the flight, I started reading Where I Belong: Healing Trauma and Embracing Asian American Identity by Linda Yoon and Soo Jin Lee—and honestly, it hit me in all the places I often keep quiet. Being half Korean and half white, I’ve spent most of my life feeling like I existed somewhere in between—not Korean enough, not white enough. I don’t speak Korean, and growing up, that often made me feel disconnected from one side of my identity. This book didn’t just speak to that—it saw it, named it, and offered healing where I didn’t realize I still needed it.

“Belonging isn’t about fitting perfectly into one identity or place — it’s about embracing the complexity of where you come from and who you are becoming.”
— Linda Yoon & Soo Jin Lee, Where I Belong

Reading it right before heading into a family reunion, where I’d be spending time with my white side, brought a lot of those mixed emotions to the surface. But instead of pushing them away, I let them sit with me, and somehow, that felt like progress.

New England summers always hit differently. This year, the rain lingered a little longer, which meant no hiking, but the upside? When it did rain, everything cooled off beautifully. Grandma’s backyard, framed by the misty mountains and her pool, became the backdrop for quiet mornings, drifting conversations, and low-key catchups. The air was muggy but familiar, like the sticky that clings to childhood memories.

The reunion was more intimate this year, just Grandma, her boyfriend, my dad, Quinn and Taylor, my cousin Amanda, Aunt Wendy, and Jack. Smaller in size, but still full of love. One of the most memorable welcomes came from Grandma’s new dog, Lucky, who was so excited to meet me that he quite literally peed on me. Gotta love a dog with no chill! Then there was Coco, my cousin’s chocolate lab, all calm eyes and quiet charm. Between the two of them, the energy (and the fur) was nonstop in the best, most chaotic way.

Alec and Wiggles stayed home this trip; flying two tiny tornadoes cross-country was not in the cards (or the budget). And honestly, there were plenty of dogs already running the show.

This was also my first reunion since my grandfather passed. I kept thinking about him, how I wish I’d had more time, more conversations, more moments. The absence was felt, even among all the joy.

One tradition we “kids” always try to keep alive is heading out together, and this year didn’t disappoint. We went to Union Street Bakery for some treats and then grabbed ice cream at Mt. Tom, one of my favorite stops. Our actual reunion meal was quintessentially Massachusetts: a simple BBQ with hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, and fruit.

This is my dad’s side of the family (my white side), and as usual, the day was filled with chatting, drinks, and floating in the pool: loud laughter, ongoing conversations, and a playlist of memories in the background.

I spent most of my time with Amanda, my cousin, and our talks went deep into life, grief, growth, everything in between. We honored our late grandfathers, both taken by cancer, and reflected on how their legacies are still felt in small and subtle ways.

Honestly, I was quieter than usual this time. The weather, a bit of loneliness, and life stuff had me feeling low-profile. But even in the quiet, there was a connection.

It rained a lot, which permitted me to… rest. I slept more than I expected, but maybe my soul needed it. Being surrounded by family felt overwhelming at times, so many different lives and energies in one place. But it also reminded me how much I am like my grandma. We both tend to keep our feelings tucked away, stay busy, and move through life in a quiet but persistent rhythm. She never stops moving, and I never stop sleeping when I need an emotional reset.

Looking through old photos stirred something in me, too. I noticed how much Quinn looks like our dad when he was younger. Every time I flip through those albums, I learn something new about our family and myself.

There weren’t many professional photos, just candid moments caught on our phones. I brought my DJI Osmo Pocket 3 and captured what I could through my lens. We even FaceTimed with family who couldn’t make it, passing the phone around so everyone got a moment to say hi.

💭 My Takeaways

This trip reminded me of something funny but also true: I need to stay on top of Alec and Wiggles’ diets. Walking Grandma’s dog Lucky was an eye-watering experience I don’t want to relive, bless his heart.

But on a deeper level, I’m grateful. Grateful that my family didn’t pry, didn’t press, and supported me without needing the whole story. That means more than they probably realize.

And if you’re thinking of planning your reunion? Here’s my unsolicited advice:

Send a mass email or text at the start of the year. Follow up every month until the date gets closer. RSVPs can get messy without regular reminders. If you’re interested, download the family reunion planning checklist!

Family Reunion Planning Checklist

Being back in Massachusetts stirred up memories and brought fresh ones, too. There’s a bittersweet beauty in these reunions; they remind you where you came from and who you’ve become in the time apart. The laughter, the loss, the quiet reflection… it all matters.

Taste. Explore. Inspire.

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.” – Psalm 133:1