A Christmas Story

He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming--it came!

Somehow or other, 

it came just the same.

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. 

What if Christmas, 

he thought, 

doesn't come from a store. 

What if Christmas, 

perhaps, 

means a little bit more."

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

"He brought everything back, all the food for the feast.  

And he, he himself, the Grinch, carved the roast beef."

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

"Then the Whos, young and old, will sit down to a feast.  

And they'll feast, and they'll feast.  

And they'll feast, feast, feast!"

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

"Welcome, Christmas, bring our cheer.  

Cheer to all Whos far and near.  

Christmas Day is in our grasp so long as we have hands to clasp. 

Christmas Day will always be, 

just as long as we have we."

~Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Before Christmas

Before Christmas.

Isn't it true that the anticipation of Christmas,
the time BEFORE Christmas,
is often more exciting than Christmas Day?

Buying gifts for loved ones, wrapping, planning, decorating...

This year, the time before Christmas was extra special.
With my sister and her family here, there was time spent in NYC and Vermont,
a marriage proposal,  gingerbread house competition
and lots of time spent with family and friends,
just  being together.

There were unexpected visits from good friends...

bearing thoughtful gifts!

After church on Christmas Eve,  we had an Asian dinner of ginger chicken, fried rice and egg rolls.

Then we decided we would each opened one gift.

The gift I made for my sister got the expected reaction!

It was a photo book of all the times our families have spent together since our children were born. 

The tears came as Emily read the foreward.
(see end of blog post for details)

Vance's brother and his wife visited too.

and Ravioli.

The end of the evening was spent looking at Bride's Magazine
in search of a wedding dress for Emily!

Foreward

Family

In truth a family is what you make it.  It is made strong, not by the number of heads counted at the dinner table, but by the rituals you help family members create, by the memories you share, by the commitment of time, caring and love you show to one another, and by the hopes for the future you have as individuals and as a unit.

Will You Marry Me?

On the Saturday before Christmas, we made a road trip back home.

To Burlington.

My sister, Lori.  Me.  Kerry.  Hali.  

 Emily and Joe.

Packed snug in my suitcase was a very special turquoise box.

From Tiffany's.

We were keeping it hidden from Emily.

After checking into the Hotel Vermont, we walked through the cold, icy/rainy night to the Daily Planet for dinner.

During dinner,  Kerry went to the bathroom with Emily and we gave the ring to Joe to put in his pocket.

Lori's high school friends, Lisa and Pat (Fr. Pat now) met us for dinner too.   My niece, Jamie, came later to join us for drinks.

They were unaware of what they were about to witness.

When we left the restaurant, the rain and sleet had stopped momentarily. A normally bustling Church Street was deserted because of the storm.

Church Street looked magical.

We walked to the top of the street near the large Christmas tree.

This was the planned spot.

We took a few pictures in front of the tree.

(Kerry, Emily, Hali and Lori)

 Lori, Fr. Pat and Lisa

Then Emily and Joe.

At that point, Joe turned to Emily and began talking to her.

We couldn't hear what was said, but we didn't need to.

It was written all over Emily's face.

He got down on one knee and took the box out of his pocket. 

Opening it to show her the beautiful diamond ring, 

he proposed.

I believe he got the answer he wanted to hear.

 It fit perfectly.

Everyone was excited, but cold.

We walked back toward the hotel. 

The news was out on social media within minutes!

Fr. Pat couldn't stay to celebrate with us at the hotel bar, but before he left the family gathered around for a prayer.

Then more hugs and more pictures.

The evening ended with a toast to the Emily and Joe

followed by talk of wedding plans...

I was so happy to be a part of it all.

A special couple

in a special town

on a special night

with special people.

Congratulations Emily and Joe!