Bah Humbug

The snow is really coming down now. I had such a long day, and it’s no secret how much I dislike the cold, so I’m happy to be going home. I just want a hot bath and a nice glass of wine. It’s nearly Christmas, so most of my neighbors have up decorations, and there are happy children playing in the snow. I have always been very anti-holiday season, so I can’t relate to the cheer in the air.

I am met with the scent of warm cinnamon as I enter my home. My husband loves the holidays, so we have seasonal flameless candles on a timer, just for him. This is our first winter holiday season together; we got married back in June. Unfortunately, he had to travel for work this week, so I am home alone, and in a crappy mood. I was going to go with him, but my doctors insisted on seeing me this week. It will be our first night apart, and I am not looking forward to it. I have been doing scans and being poked and prodded at the doctor’s office all day, so it will be me, my wine and my “Bah Humbug” playlist in the bath until my water gets cold.

I don’t even bother going into my kitchen to look for food. I kick off my shoes, shrug off my jacket, and head straight up the back stairs to our master bathroom, and start preparing myself and my bath. As I sink into the bubble bliss I have been craving, my phone rings. It’s a FaceTime from that wonderful man of mine.

“Hello, beautiful! It’s been 11 hours, and I miss you so much, I cannot handle it.” He says as he is standing in front of the most gorgeously decorated Christmas tree I have ever seen.

“I miss you, more. I hate that my doctor’s schedule is so strange. Thankfully you’ll be home in just three days. How will I sleep without you keeping me warm?” The sadness in my voice surprises me, because I have never been someone who outwardly expresses certain emotions.

“Three days is a very long time when we haven’t been apart since we met, though.”

“Yeah, for sure. This sucks.” I choke on my emotion and immediately change the subject, “That tree is incredible! It looks like the kind of tree I would put up, if that were my thing.”

He chuckles, “I thought the exact same thing, that’s actually why I am standing in front of it. I have been here thinking about how much I love you, and how I am going to make sure to show you the joy of the holiday season. It’s our first Christmas, and I will make it the first of many incredible years of holiday cheer, together.”

I can’t hep but to smile, “You’re so cute. I hope that works out for you.”

“What did the doctor say?” He has a look of concern in his eyes but tries to mask it. “I can’t stand missing these visits. Your health matters more than anything. I wish you had let me come. Work will never be more important, you know that.”

“Literally nothing. We did all my scans and bloodwork again and that’s it. They’re hopeful that the medication has been working. Since I feel no changes, both doctors seem optimistic, but neither wanted to risk me going this month without everything being done for the accuracy of my testing data. I heard you called while I was in the MRI, I meant to call you back, but I figured you called on a break and I’d talk to you tonight.” I sniff, “Those candles you love have the house smelling yummy. I think today, they’re stronger. I smell it all the way upstairs, and this door is closed. “

“Oh, yeah? I love that you love it. It makes sense that the Docs want to stay on top of things. I would be concerned if they weren’t, and with the way your care was going before this year, we gotta be grateful.” There’s a ding in his background, “I have to go, baby. I love you and we will talk soon.”

“Yeah, that alert was so loud, it echoed. But okay, stay safe. I love you.”

“I love you, more.” His smile does things to my heart.

I hang up the phone, press play on Ariana Grande’s “True Love” and set my playlist to shuffle before I sink all the way into the steaming hot water. It feels heavenly. I get lost in the feeling of my body releasing tension while the sounds of non-traditional holiday songs fill the space.

It’s been nearly an hour, and my water is significantly cooler, so I wash and rinse, then get out of the bath. I put on my robe and complete my nighttime hygiene routine, when I realize I no longer smell cinnamon. I can smell my neighbor, Chef's cooking, though. I make a mental note to call for leftovers tomorrow. I turn off my music, and head downstairs so that I can replace the candles that must be out, so I don’t forget to later.

As I approach the landing at the top of my stairs, I see I left the lights on from the morning, which almost annoys me, until I reach the bottom, turn the corner and am met with a massive Christmas tree in my view. It is the most visually appealing tree I have ever seen. It is at least 9ft high, and it has monochromatic gold ornaments and black bows perfectly spaced on it with solid warm white lights.

I freeze in my tracks. “What in the world?” I realize it's the tree I saw on the call with my husband. I gasp back a sob.

“Surprise, My love.” I am stunned and turn to see the love of my life popping a pan of cinnamon rolls into the oven. His smile warms me like the sun. “I just need to reheat these, you took a while in the bath. I’m so glad you like our tree.”

I am full on sobbing, now. He rushes over to me and pulls me into his arms, before he explains, “I couldn’t get on that plane. I couldn’t be away from you. I called the doctor’s office because you didn't answer on my way there. When I arrived, the nurse said you’d be in radiology for the next six or so hours, and sent me to the waiting room. So I decided to leave and surprise you with decorations to start our first holiday season.” I wrap my arms around him, tighter. “I fully expected you to come in here before I could sneak Chef in and out with our dinner. I’m glad you didn’t. I wanted you to get the full experience of my surprise.”

I pull away to look at his face, “You were home when I got here? Wow, so a serial killer could be in here to take me out, and I’d never know.”

He lets out a loud laugh, “No one is coming after you. Not MY wife.” He gives me a swift kiss and leads me to the table. “I hope you’re hungry, I had Chef over there cooking all day.”

“I wasn’t, but I am now.”

I sit and look at what looks to be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I breathe in deeply, then look around. Our home is decorated in deep greens, golds and blacks. It looks like how I’d decorate the north pole, if I were Mrs. Claus. He knows me so well. As I am taking everything in, I hear the doorbell.

“Perfect timing.” My husband says, and I am confused when he goes to open the door and it’s the neighborhood children.

They come in, all dressed very much like our holiday décor, and begin to sing Christmas carols. I cannot stop the face-splitting smile or the tears in my eyes, because they are all so cute, and sound adorable. After three songs, my husband leads them out, and returns to the table, beaming.

“That was so precious, wow.” I say through tears.

“So, are we off to a good start, then?”

“Start? There’s no topping this! Christmas is over, now! The house is beautiful, you’re here with me, the kids were an absolute treat, and I am about to eat! This is perfect!”

“Oh, this is only a taste. I told you; I’m starting this off right. You will now know the joys of this time of year from now on.”

I know he means it. I smile from my soul, as he goes to get the cinnamon rolls, then serves us.

I can’t believe I am saying this, but I'm very much excited. Imagine that! Me, The Holiday Hater! I look out at the falling snow, giving my thanks for the winter season and the first best Christmas anyone will ever know.