People often think of Thanksgiving and Christmas as family bonding time, but who said that other holidays can’t also be an opportunity for family and friends to get closer with one another? Abigail Horta and her family and friends spent New Year’s Eve together talking, laughing, and partying until midnight finally arrived. The fun didn’t start at night though. Abby stated that during the day her family “…decided to go to the record store and visit my grandma.” Visiting the record store is a fun tradition that the Horta family has. After they had spent their time with their grandma, Abigail and her family started to get ready for the night. “I stayed over at my friend Ava’s house on New Year’s Eve. Bringing in the new year with her family, and a few other friends who were there.” The night was filled with fun and laughter and some reflection on the year and what’s to come. “I was really happy to celebrate and was excited to start a new year,” Abby continued.

Everyone was feeling hopeful and bright for the new year. In fact, talking with everyone was Abby’s “…favorite part of the night. We sat in the hot tub and just talked about how 2023 treated us and how we’re going to have a great 2024.” While Abby definitely has a feeling that 2024 is going to be her year, that won’t come without having any goals set in place. “As a family we’re committing to traveling more, but individually, I’m trying to be more productive with my time,” shared Abby. As the night went on, everyone was getting excited for midnight to arrive. At 12 ‘o’ clock, the ball finally dropped and Abby and her family were ready to bring a new tradition to her friend group spending the holiday with them. “As a Latina, one of the main things we do is eat 12 grapes once the ball drops to signify good luck for every month of the coming year. I normally do this with my family, but I introduced my friends to it this year and we did it together.”

This New Year’s Eve was one of the best Abby ever had. We can’t determine what’s to come during 2024, but Abby and her family and friend’s attitudes are exactly the type of outlook that will get them through thick and thin this year.