My mom comes from a relatively big family. She is one of six children and all of her siblings are married with children and grandchildren of their own. Most of them still live within a five mile radius of one another in my hometown, which I absolutely love. Every Saturday morning since before I was born, my grandparents host what has come to be known by our family as “Niekamp Saturday.”  Niekamp is my mom’s maiden name. From about 10:00 in the morning until about noon every Saturday, any family members that are in town and want to stop by Grandma and Grandpa’s house do just that. You come and go as you please.

Everyone gathers around the kitchen table to talk and catch up with one another…and of course smack talk with each other a bit. It wouldn’t be a Niekamp gathering without a little harmless razzing from one another. I guess it’s in the blood:-) Sometimes only a few people show up and sometimes the kitchen is packed full. Grandma almost always makes her homemade coffee cake (which is pretty dang amazing) and some people sip on coffee while others opt for cookies and milk.

For the past twenty-nine years of my life, this memory has been ingrained in my head and in my routine. Every time I go back home, I know where I’ll be on Saturday mornings. Niekamp Saturday has afforded me the opportunity to become so close with my relatives, to see them on a regular basis and to make memories with them. I will forever cherish my memories of Saturday mornings at my grandparent’s home.

Memories of our lives and time spent with our loved ones are things you can always take with you. Time changes things and people. You never know which direction you’ll end up moving towards. Make memories every day of your life with the people that surround you. Cherish the moments you have together and enjoy the ride.