My unforgettable May Day

This May Day holiday, I had a rich and unforgettable time. Though tired, I was filled with warmth and joy, and these memories will forever stay close to my heart.
On April 30th, I returned to my hometown Handan, Hebei Province. The story of buying train tickets was truly a rollercoaster. As early as early February, I’d reserved tickets on a third-party platform and even purchased VIP acceleration, yet it kept showing “no tickets available.” Seeing friends post about their tickets on social media, I wondered: How did they manage to get theirs? Left with no choice, I constantly refreshed the 12306 app. Finally, at 3 a.m., I successfully grabbed a ticket. That sleepless night of waiting by the screen might just be my most vivid memory of “longing to return home.”
During the first three days back, I had three warm family feasts with different relatives. My aunt’s braised pork ribs, uncle’s spicy crayfish, and my aunt’s homemade dumplings… They cooked all my favorite dishes, and the laughter around the dining table made every bite taste even better.
May 4th brought a happy coincidence: my father’s birthday fell on Youth Day. To avoid holiday traffic, we set off at 6 a.m. for a short trip nearby. Along the way, Dad hummed old songs while driving, and my younger sister took photos excitedly, pointing at the clouds outside the window. At the scenic spot, we captured photos of tree-lined paths, shimmering lake surfaces, and family portraits where everyone’s smiles showed every wrinkle. We even had plenty of beautiful photos which were called "god photos". This simple trip, without grand plans, gave me a long-lost sense of peace and became the most healing part of my holiday.
This May Day holiday had the anxiety of ticket-buying, the warmth of reunions, and the precious time spent with family. All these moments weave together to form the most touching memories of spring 2025.