Dear Friends,
Welcome to our 20th annual Christmas Party! Faith and I can hardly believe that two decades have passed since we first started this tradition. What began as a small gathering of close friends in our tiny 400-square-foot studio apartment in Harlem has blossomed into this wonderful celebration of community, connection, and a lot of rum punch. I will never forget that first party, where we had to move all the furniture—including our bed—into the stairwell (much to the chagrin of the local rats). Over the years, there have been countless moments that have made this tradition so special: the snowstorm of 2016 when we lost power but gained unforgettable memories, the times of laughter with a "drunken Santa" or a mischievous Grinch, and even the unexpected male elf stripper. Needless to say, all of these wonderful surprises are solely at the influence of Faith :)
Through it all, this event has remained a cornerstone of joy and connection in our lives. We feel incredibly lucky to share this moment with you all.
This night is always about more than just the holiday season; it's about us coming together, about friendships that endure, and about the new connections that bloom amidst the old. While the party has grown in scale and, yes, a touch of extravagance, its heart remains unchanged: a celebration of friendship, connection, and the joy of the holiday season. The beauty and depth of these relationships fill our hearts, and we want to take a moment to honor the journey we have all shared together.
As a child, I attended an annual Christmas party hosted by a family friend on Christmas Eve, and it left a lasting impression on me. What stood out about this party was its unique warmth and the way it fostered a sense of connection that felt both familiar and rejuvenating, even if I couldn’t attend every year. Each time I did, I found myself drawn to the warmth and richness of those connections. These feelings stayed with me as a source of inspiration, something I wanted to carry forward and recreate—not just for myself, but for others as well. As I headed off to college, I decided that if I ever had the opportunity, I would create a similar gathering of my own. That opportunity came in 2005, the same year that Faith and I met, and we had the great fortune of starting this tradition together. What I didn’t realize back then was that we weren’t just creating a tradition for ourselves, but for a community of people who would do something incredibly powerful and humbling—embrace this gathering as one of their own traditions. That realization brings us immense joy.
Our request remains simple: be open, be curious, and be present. Embrace the magic of unexpected moments—the kind that happens when you ask a question you never thought you'd ask or listen to a story you never knew you'd hear. Each one of you here tonight brings something unique to this gathering, and we can't wait to see the stories and connections that unfold.
Enjoy the food, drinks, the music—which might have a new twist this year—and the festive spirit that fills this home. Thank you for being an essential part of what makes this tradition so special. We are endlessly grateful to the friends and family who have traveled far and wide to join us, year after year, making extraordinary efforts to keep this tradition alive. Your presence means the world to us. We couldn’t imagine our holidays without this night, without you all.
Here's to twenty years of memories, and to many more.
Happy Holidays,
