Red Envelopes and Bittersweet Memories: Lunar New Year as a First-Gen American

Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go: nostalgia is a tricky companion. It’s like that friend who shows up at your door with a bottle of wine on a Tuesday night, insisting on a trip down memory lane, only for you to wake up the next morning with a hangover, questioning your life choices. But as I’ve come to find, some memories, especially those tied to our cultural roots, are worth revisiting, no matter the emotional hangover they might bring. Growing up, I was caught in a tug-of-war between two worlds. On one side, the vibrant, rich traditions of my Asian heritage, and on the other, the all-consuming desire to blend into the American tapestry. It was a balancing act, one where I often felt like I was walking a tightrope, never fully belonging to either side. But as the years have passed, the lines have blurred, and I’ve started to see my dual heritage not as a battleground but as a bridge. <a href="https://medium.com/asian-mosaic/red-envelopes-and-bittersweet-memories-lunar-new-year-as-a-first-gen-american-938589ad6928">Website</a>