Must Be The Season

When I married the smartest man in the world - the geekiest man in the world, he had been single for sixteen years.  One daughter across the country, living in Virginia and one daughter up north in Idaho.  There wasn't much of a reason to decorate at his house.  The first time I went to his house, it was December 12 (yes, there is a reason I know the exact date, but, I ain't gonna tell ya!!).  He had really no decorations, he did manage to find some lovely Christmas music to set the mood.

We were pretty much a couple from that moment on - prior to that, I had been deciding if I wanted a relationship with him - and he was probably trying to decide if he wanted one with me.  We spent the next couple of weeks spending quite a bit of time together.  I went as his date to his Civil Air Patrol banquet - where everyone lauded him as a very important person in the organization - he was very appreciated and loved.  That's when I pretty much fell in love with him, hearing what people had to say to him made me realize what a gem of a man he was.  Come Christmas Eve, he was introduced to my entire family - a very pregnant Crystal and Brandon, sweet and contrary KayeLynn and my baby boy Rodger.  This was a true test of a man, to walk into this loud and noisy townhouse with all these people - a huge Christmas tree bursting with gifts for all, a huge dinner and a lot of laughter and love.  He came back the next morning when we opened gifts and he was surprised to see that he actually had a couple waiting for him. We had breakfast.  He spent the day with us until I had to go to work that evening.  It was our first Christmas together.

I am a traditionalist.  I follow the same pattern.  I do the same thing pretty much every year.  The day after Halloween, here comes the Thanksgiving decorations.  The day after Thanksgiving or sometimes Saturday, here comes Christmas.  I want to squeeze every moment out of the holidays.

This year, I haven't been able to get the tree up.  The tree has NEVER been this late going up - it's now December 1 for crying out loud!!!  But, with having Ted's mom here and spending every moment trying to make sure her visit was wonderful, I didn't get it done.  Then right after she left, I was waking up to get ready for work.

Yesterday, I got of early - I went to lunch with friends, I had a doctor appointment with the diet doctor (UGH, Holy High Blood Pressure Batman!!), went and got my nails done for the very first time.  I got home around 3:00.  The man who really didn't decorate for Christmas until he was rolled over by this crazy family had brought the tree up.  He had it sitting in front of the family shrine, also known as the television.  He did it to be considerate - but, in his subconscious, I think it was his way of telling me - it's time to bring Christmas into the house, it's just time.


So, this very lovely weekend, every available moment, it's time to bring the jolly into the holly, it's time to bring the reason into the season, it's time to warm the mantle.

To the smartest, geekiest man in the world.  I love you so very much.  You bring the warm into my life every day.  Thanks for bringing the tree up.