December 25th

A Love Story

Five years ago today, I introduced my mom to the man I’d been seeing for about a month.

He came by my childhood home. The same house I’d moved back into months earlier. We exchanged gifts. I think my mom bought him liquor. Maybe we ate. But, I do remember sitting by the Christmas tree, feeling like this is the best thing ever. Love all in one place.

Later in the evening, as he and I headed west on the Van Wyck, the magnitude of the moment hit me. I had the sudden urge to get certainty on the direction of what we were doing. I needed to define the relationship.*

Christmas 2023

I stared through the windshield at the Airtrain just as the light disappeared from view. I turned to the left, inspecting the profile of my future husband. Music flooded the car as he gripped the steering wheel and focused on the road.

I said something like, “When will you ask to be my boyfriend?”

And without missing a beat, he said, “Am I not already?”

I pivoted my head to stare back through the windshield. I needed a moment to think of an equally witty comeback.

I had none.

But love a challenge. A living, breathing, bearded challenge.

One that makes me think bigger pray harder and live up to the integrity of my word.

I hope you receive gifts that light up the best in you this Christmas. I got a life-changing one a few years ago.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

And to my love – happy 5!

RL

*Why are we like this? 😂

LET ME KNOW

Does a holiday also have a romantic meaning to you?

Defining the relationship is a real thing. What’s the story about the last time you had to dtr?

In three weeks, I’ll be back in your inbox 🤗 but I’ve done so much during my time away. What do you want to get caught up on? Travel? Reads? Organization/Planning?