On December 2, my husband and I drove to Stillwater, Minnesota to Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter. Although we went to peruse the outdoor Christkindlmarket, we found our treasure within this authentic German restaurant nestled in the pines. I dined on Bavarian Goulaush Soup with spaetzle and red cabbage while my husband enjoyed the daily special--corned beef and cabbage. We shared the delectable raspberry-white chocolate bread pudding. On the way home, we stopped at a local farm to buy Christmas wreaths.

It occurs to me that we may have begun a new tradition. Our boys are too disinterested to appreciate the ambience of such a jaunt for a special-occasion lunch and for wreath-purchasing. We are heading into that stage of life that includes "just the two of us" again. While we listened to Bing, Nat, and Frank with a little Harry Jr. mixed in, we laughed and chatted about everything from Christmas gifts to generational differences. I was reminded anew why I enjoy his company as much as he does mine. Perhaps that is how the best traditions begin.