Most Romantic Christmas Ever

I really thought that it could not get any better than Ranger's salvation on Christmas Eve Eve, but it did! Somehow, God is just that generous.

Christmas Eve was such a sweet day with family during the day, and then seeing my kids in their Christmas play that night was priceless. They all seemed so old, so capable, so grown. But for whatever reason, that was a joy to me. It seems like they just keep getting more and more enjoyable to me as they grow.

Christmas morning was wonderful. Of course, with the kids, it was great. We opened our gifts to and from each other before the rest of the family got there. The kids loved their gifts, and I was delighted at how they opened them. They were slow and deliberate, taking their time to watch each person, in turn. There were sweet thank yous and big hugs. It was just great.

But my favorite was my time with my husband. Of course, we enjoyed watching the kids open their gifts, and we had both gotten a few things for the kids to give us. But I think the best part was when we opened the big gift we had each gotten the other.

That fact alone was significant this year. As a rule, we have not done Christmas very well. Our anniversary is a week after, so we often wait to do anything big. And it is so easy to get caught up in the kids that we often kind of do each other's gifts as an afterthought to the kids. Not good, but this has been our reality for a while now.

We had decided months ago that we needed to change that this year. We wanted to really think about it and do a good job with Christmas presents this year.

Brian had me go first. I was very intrigued because he had been wanting me to shake the gift for the days it had been under the tree. I wouldn't do it! I wanted the surprise. And for him, I specifically did not want him to shake his!

It was a medium sized box, and when I finally held it and shook it, I could not imagine what was inside. It made a lot of noise! I opened an ugly box (that actually was the shipping box for a car part!) and poured out a box of screws and another box of nails. The only clue he had given me was that it would mark a paradigm shift for us. I didn't know if he wanted me to hang shelves or what! I was delightfully confused as he sat there snickering, enjoying every moment!

There was a manila envelope inside, and even as I opened it, I still did not have a clue! What I found was a beautiful invitation to (drum roll please) ... Ballroom dance lessons!!! Once a month for a year, we are going to learn to waltz, tango, cha cha, even hustle! He had already arranged the child care, which he ensured would not cost us our regular weekly Saturday night date. I was overwhelmed and began to cry.

There's a back story here. He gave me the same gift long ago, for my birthday, right before we had Sierra. Actually, I was pregnant with her when he gave me the lessons, but we would find that joy out about a week later. That was 11 1/2 years ago, and after all the babies, we just never have found the time to go back and do it. We love to dance whenever we have the chance, and we fake it ok. But we have always said that one day, we would reclaim that dream and learn for real.

After I opened the gift, Brian said that now is the time for reclaiming. He said that as the kids are getting older, he is aware that there will come a time when it will just be us again, and while that will be a sad time in some ways, he also wants to look forward to it. He said he does not want us to look at each other and wonder who we are, but to securely know the depth of our love and passion for each other enough that we can even look forward to that time of being alone again. We will miss the kids, but we can revel in the togetherness.

That is what the dance lessons are: an investment of time and energy into us. It is who we are and who we want to be many years from now. My beloved promised me that it is just the beginning of what we will commit ourselves to over the second dozen or so years as we keep on raising our kids.

Of course, I cried and cried. I was so touched by his mode of thinking and his thoughtfulness. Truthfully, I was also shocked again by the fact that this dreamboat wants to be with me. I know that sounds cheesey, but there are still times that I do not know how it happened. I married out of my league. He is a prince.

And I suppose I should say that he also loved his gift. I love figuring out what he wants and giving that to him. I play quite the elf at Christmas time and instruct family on what to get everyone, including Brian. But I saved the best for myself to give him.

Like our relationship, he has been in a place of personal reclaiming. He has rediscovered his love of art, expression, and music. These are more places that have just kind of been on hold for a while as we are so busy for our family. But I wanted to affirm that place in him, so I got him music.

He got his turn to open his box, and I could hear the air being sucked from his lungs when he realized what it was. About 15 cd's, a whole new collection. I hope that since most of it is new to him, he will be inspired, not just to enjoy it but to create again. He used to write great music. He even wrote the processional and recessional to our wedding. He is so talented, and I wanted him to feel encouraged and equipped to regather those important pieces of his heart. He was delighted!

So I think we walk away from this Christmas with great joy, feeling very seen and loved by each other. What a sweet gift, and it is made that much better since our children were able to witness the whole exchange.

We head into our anniversary this weekend full of energy and love and romance. Only God could do that, especially after such a hard year. But I am just very thankful. Happy 17th a few days early, Love. Happy Anniversary!