Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Twenty Six Christmases

This Christmas will be the twenty sixth that I've shared with this man . . .


We started dating in April of 1984, and I wasn't sure what Christmas would hold. I had moved home with my parents in very early 1984 because my dad was having major surgery and Mama needed a helping hand. Let's be real, here. I could always do more with Daddy than Mama could, and she needed someone there he would listen to! All my furniture and such were stowed away in a storage unit until the time when I cold once again move out on my own. I was, after all, almost 32 years old!

Anyway, my now hubby and I had been dating a while, and were talking about the future, and I was spending much more time at his condo than I was at home. But when Christmas started approaching, he wouldn't talk about decorating his condo. He just didn't see the point.



A couple of weeks before Christmas I left work early, went to the storage unit and dug out my Christmas decorations, went and bought a tree, took it all to his condo and started decorating. He came home and started helping me. I created a monster! The next Christmas we were married, and he was the first one to bring up the decorating topic. And the gift giving topic. Man, is he a great Christmas gift-giver!

You see, we don't do a lot most of the year. Usually there's something small for birthdays, and we'll do something special for our anniversary, but Christmas is when we really do it up. I have a wonderful husband in many ways - but I can honestly say he is one in a bazillion when it comes to Christmas.

He starts asking for ideas in, oooohhhh, August or September. And he shops, and looks around, asks for updates on the list of ideas, and he really puts a lot of thought and effort into the process. And then he saves a day of vacation, and about 10 days to 2 weeks before Christmas he stays home, runs me out of the house, and wraps each and every gift himself, using lots and lots of tape! He also fills my stocking and fills the top with tissue paper so I can't peek. Most years I have between 7 and 12 gifts to open. I try to compete with him, but it's hard to keep up!


A few years ago I could tell he was more excited than usual. I had a feeling he'd gotten me a new laptop PC because mine was dying a slow and unnatural death, but would that make him that excited??? On Christmas morning we take turns opening gifts. Whoever has the most packages starts first, then the other opens and so forth. My next to last gift was the laptop. But there was still one box for me to open.

He made me open a card first. It was so sweet, and it said "I've never found anything that sparkles as much as you do, until now. I love you," I started crying. I mean, how romantic is that?!? I opened the box, and it was a gorgeous white gold and diamond ring, and man, did that ring sparkle! Of all the wonderful Christmases we've shared, I'll probably remember that one most because of how much thought and love he put into that gift. He used the little bit of money he got after his dad died to buy a ring for me. {sigh}

This year is much the same, except on a smaller budget. We have gone in 'together' and gotten a Wii and a couple of games for us both, but it's packed up and we can't open it until Christmas morning. I've got him shoes, clothes, oldies CD's, and a few 'toys'. He's got me a Cricut (so excited!) and a few things I won't know about until Christmas morning. But, do you know that after 26 Christmases together, I can honestly say that he, this dude in the funky pictures above, is the most incredible gift of them all. I am one blessed and grateful woman.

Merry Christmas, friends! Becky

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's nice to learn more about your husband and the wonderful and long-lasting love you two share. You seem to have so many common interests and he is so thoughtful to you and your mom. Can't wait to see what surprises he has for you this Christmas!

tara said...

What sweet post Becky...your husband sounds like a wonderful person...most men could care less about decorating for christmas or gifts!!...thanks for sharing, and happy 26th Christmas to you!

Patsy said...

I love your Christmas story and how wonderful your 26 years have been.
Hugs Patsy

K-Sue said...

What a great guy. What a great gal to know she has a good thing! From out here is Blogland it sounds like you two have a super-special, sweet, close marriage.

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in to say hello! That's the sweetest story ever! I hope my husband and I are still as close as you two are after 26 Christmases!

Jeanne Oliver said...

He sounds like such a sweet man, friend and husband!!! You are BOTH so blessed to have each other. I love that you go all out on Christmas and spoil each other. It is so obvious how much you love him.

Peggy said...

Hi I am visitng at the invitation of Bennie & patsy, I did not see the post on the 1st of the month but thought I would visit anyway. It is a lovely post and it is evident from reading it that the greatest gift you have is each other.
best wishes

Audrey Pettit said...

This is just tooooooo sweet!

Paula said...

Awww... this was such a sweet post! Your Hubby sounds like a keeper to me, Becky!