We followed the pull of our hearts to Boston, and spent Christmas with Nick during his overnight.
Life as an aviation family is unconventional at best, as his work schedule extends beyond that of a typical 9-5. It's equal opportunity, meaning it does not discriminate against birthdays or holidays. His presence and witness to family milestones and moments, especially now that we have children, are definitely a priority of mine.
After a delay at O'Hare, the kids and I boarded an outbound flight where the crew passed out warm, fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies and (free) wine for Mom. We landed, Ubered our way to the hotel and were reunited as a family at around midnight EST time.
The Boston Park Plaza Hotel is a Boston icon, and recently renovated to blend its celebrated history with modern amenity and design. Located near Boston Commons, and highly sought after for its ideal location near many a historic site, it was a grand setting for our family's Christmas celebration.
(This gingerbread house made in the hotel's likeness was absolutely insane!)
(I've since added a similar chess set to my Amazon list for our own library in-progress.)
(And suddenly, I need a pair of Nutcracker soldiers to stand guard on my front porch!)
(The hotel lobby was very festive and grand.)
(There were many an intense game.)
Construction began in 1925, and E.M. Statler opened The Statler Hotel in 1927. For five decades, it was the largest independent hotel in New England, and the 8th-largest hotel in the world.
Where the hotel now stands was once beachfront property where British troops landed to embark for the Battle of Lexington. The bay was later filled in to form what is now known as Boston's Back Bay.
Boston Park Plaza has also been a destination for U.S. Presidents, and all but 2 in that time have stayed there.
We ate a delicious Christmas dinner at Fogo de Chao, where I ceremoniously flagged down the server with the filet mignon and we toasted to us being together. Snow had fallen upon the city the night before, as if the spirit of the holidays gifted us with such a traditional scene.
We all agreed that 'home' is wherever we're together, and the holidays are best spent in keeping with that theme. Perhaps next year, our families can make the trip to our country house should Nick be lucky enough to have it off.
If not, it's still a comfort to know that Nick is just a flight away so we can be together for the holiday.
If you stay:
Boston Park Plaza, 50 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116