Creating Lifelong Family Memories

By Julie Thurman

Over the course of our time at Trinity, our family has hosted knights and dragons, glassblowers and millers, Greek and Roman gods, and experts on various states and countries. In all, we have counted more than 25 Lower School traditions that have been a meaningful part of our children’s education. Throughout these past 11 years, we have experienced the joy of witnessing our kids bond over these shared experiences, even as they approach these traditions with their own perspectives, interests, personalities, and abilities.

One of the most special and unique aspects of many of these Lower School traditions is that the entire family has been invited to participate, allowing younger siblings a glimpse into what they can look forward to and older siblings an opportunity to revisit past experiences. From the time that Ryan and Will could walk, they were part of the audience at Kindergarten Art Galleries, Pioneer Day, Medieval Day, and many other special days. These traditions became almost rites of passage that the boys approached with excitement and completed with pride. At the same time, Isabelle and Ryan have had opportunities to revisit these special traditions as their brother’s biggest fans during special events such as the Nativity Play and Greco-Roman Day. (Isabelle forbade us from including an embarrassing story about Ryan’s Shiloh Day Zoom presentation, but feel free to ask her about it the next time you see her.) We have been exceptionally blessed to be at a school that prioritizes siblings supporting one another and cheering each other on.

While the many Trinity traditions certainly provide moments of joy and anticipation for our children, it has been special to witness the lasting effect they have had on our family. Looking back, we realize that preparing for Colonial Trade Day is what first ignited the spark of Isabelle’s love for history. Nine years later, she now feels pulled toward a history-aligned major and is strongly considering applying to William & Mary after falling in love with the campus during our family’s three colonial-trade research trips to Williamsburg. From shouts of excitement every time we see a goldfinch, chickadee, or ruby-throated hummingbird (Isabelle, Ryan, and Will’s first grade Bird Day research topics), to the Anzac cookie recipe from Ryan’s Country Day presentation that we now enjoy, many Lower School traditions have created a lasting impact on our entire family.

As we reflect on Trinity’s many traditions, we are reminded of what a rich, deep, and unhurried education has meant for our family. We are grateful for the teachers who have put in an immense amount of energy and preparation behind the scenes to execute these events and for the parent volunteers who have supported them. May these Trinity Lower School traditions last for many generations to come!

THE THURMAN FAMILY has been part of the Trinity community since 2011, when Isabelle came to Trinity as a kindergartner. Isabelle is now in eleventh grade, Ryan is in sixth grade, and Will is in third grade. Julie is a first grade teacher assistant and a substitute teacher, and Taylor volunteers as an assistant coach for the Middle School Baseball team. When not at Trinity, the Thurmans love family dinners, traveling, reading, and participating in various sports.