How Allrecipes Allstar Jane Wilcox Is Keeping the Family Reunion Alive

Nostalgic get-togethers with the fam are still a thing—here’s how one of our Allstars is keeping the fun alive.

Family reunions seem to have been around forever, but are they still a thing? This is what we asked the Allrecipes Allstars, and the answer came back–happily–a resounding yes. From responses that ranged from cookouts galore to four-generation picnics, these gatherings center around fellowship, laughter, and of course, food.  Allstar Linda C says that it’s not a family gathering without her Mom's party eggs, aka deviled eggs. Judy C says that the food at her family reunions is determined by which side of the family is hosting. "Everything is always homemade, but on my Italian side, it is the sauce, meatballs, cheese ravioli, crusty bread, and biscottis, while on my Ukrainian side, it is stuffed cabbage, pierogies, and baked ham," she says.

Allstar Jane Wilcox sat down with Allrecipes to talk more about her family reunions, how they started, and the "Cousins Reunion" that emerged as a new tradition. Wilcox began attending family reunions with her husband and his side of the family in the early 2000s, she says. More than 30 family members traveled from all over to be together. "It was always a good time," she says. However, as family members passed away, the reunions had to take a different shape. This year, Wilcox suggested a Cousins Reunion with 10 cousins she hadn't seen since the 1980s. And of course we wanted to know more.

Tell us about your first Cousins Reunion?

We planned this reunion about 3 months after my mother died—we hadn’t seen each other in years, and a death in the family tends to draw people closer together. I saw my cousins that I hadn't seen in at least 25 years. We got a group chat to plan all the festivities and food. We are all FOODIES!

Where did you meet up?

We had it in Lawrence, Kansas, in May. May is the best time for us all to gather, right before the summer crowds interfere with college graduation, and life isn't so crowded on the flights coming and going. Lawrence is where we are all from, so to speak. We all attended the University of Kansas, so a walk-through campus is always on the activity list.

Tell us about the food?

We had taco salad, enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and tacos! My cousin’s house was where all the cooking took place, and we had a blast making shredded beef for the tacos, having margaritas, and telling stories. The stories that feed our souls.

What is the one thing you look forward to each family reunion—not just the Cousin Reunion?

Seeing everyone and hearing about what they've been up to. Telling jokes, laughing until my sides ache. Hearing about new grandbabies.

Any moments that you will want to do again?

This year, we went around the room and had to tell each other about our favorite memory of someone and our most embarrassing moment with another person. This will definitely be a tradition for years to come.

Any party favors from the Cousin Reunion?

Yes, I love party favors, and I'm a machine embroiderist. I make "mug rugs"—these are quilted coasters—enough to set a glass on and a snack. I always like to put the theme on them. I also made small zipper bags. They were great for keeping all your essential things together while traveling.

Will this be a yearly reunion?

Yes, we had so much fun. We are doing this every year now, and next year, there will be more of us. You might say this was a "test pilot" to see how well it went. Next year, we're going to invite second and third cousins. We already have 15 coming! Our youngest cousin just turned 60, our oldest one is 80. We don’t have much time, but we will make time count.

This interview has been edited for length for clarity.

Read the original article on All Recipes.