The Importance of Tradition and Consistency

Life-long, generational traditions can provide stability amidst the constant changes of military family life. To get some insight into the importance of this, Family spoke with Franchette Dyer about how she incorporated family traditions and the importance of consistency. She is married to retired veteran, Master Sergeant Keith Dyer, and they have one daughter, Trinity (24).

Why is it important to you to incorporate family traditions?

Some of my earliest and happiest memories are wrapped up in the traditions my parents created. They had a way of making even ordinary moments feel special, weaving laughter, love, and meaning into our lives. As a child, I didn’t realize these moments would become the anchors of my own future family. Now, they are the heartbeat of my home.

In our house, birthdays were sacred.

My parents taught me that on your birthday, you should feel like the only person in the world born on that day. I can still remember the smell of my special cake baking in the oven, the sound of my family gathering to sing “Happy Birthday,” and the way the candles’ glow seemed to light up the entire room.

That joy never left me, and it’s why I’ve carried the tradition forward. In my home, birthdays are still a grand celebration. I keep all the birthday cards from over the years, and on each person’s special day, I display them so we can look back, laugh, and remember the love that has surrounded us through the years. Those cards are more than paper; they’re pieces of our family’s story.

And it’s not just birthdays. Every holiday transforms my home into something magical.

• Easter: Bunnies, pastel eggs, and chocolate treats find their way into every corner.
• Thanksgiving: Fills the house with warm autumn colors, rich aromas, and decorations that speak of gratitude and fellowship.
• Christmas: This is pure magic. My home glows with peace, joy, and togetherness, wrapped in twinkling lights, sweet scents from the kitchen, and the sound of familiar carols drifting through the air.

Why do you believe that these traditions remain consistent?

Some traditions are big and elaborate; others are small and quiet. A Sunday recipe we never change. A candle lit for someone we miss. Stories shared around the table after dinner. They may seem simple, but these small rituals become part of the fabric of who we are.

I’ve seen how these traditions touch the people I love. The way my family’s faces light up, the gratitude in their voices—these moments are priceless. They’re worth every bit of effort because they express something deeper than gifts or decorations ever could: love, belonging, and connection.

My mother and grandmother taught me this. They showed me how joy can be passed down like an heirloom, carried from one generation to the next. Even though my parents are no longer with me, their traditions live on in my home.

Traditions are more than celebrations. They are threads that stitch our past to our present, and our present to the future. They’re a gift of love we give to those who come after us.

So, I ask you, what traditions will you start this year?