Today, for the first time in my life, I was able to experience what I believe Christmas should be about. To back up a little bit, I was invited to spend the holidays with my Girlfriend Becca's family in Olympia this year. Before Thanksgiving I was introduced to her family and welcomed with open arms. At the time, I was introduced as a good friend whom she had strong feelings for but was waiting for life to settle down before beginning a relationship with. I met her parents and fell in love with them instantly. Her Mom is about the cutest Mom you can imagine, and a wonderful cook. Her father, a soft giant, and military man like myself. I spent a day with the watching a NASCAR race (my first race ever) and felt at home. I had already met her Sister and Brother-in-Law (Manda & Jay) when I helped her move her stuff from Olympia to North Seattle.
I got off work on Christmas Eve and picked Becca up from work to head south to Olympia. After being getting to Manda & Jay's house, and having a welcoming shot of Sailor Jerry's, Jay and I decided to head to Hollywood Video to rent a couple games to kill some time. We rented Soul Caliber and Madden '09. When we got back we decided shot #2 was in order. Shortly after that we were sent back out in the snow and Ice to track down some Triscuts, Pens, Milk and Orange Juice. We headed for Walgreens, the only store we knew would be open, and took care of business. When we got back, we figured.... what the hell, let's have #3 and get on with some Soul Caliber. After a couple rounds we got bored with the fighting game and loaded Madden '09. I'm not a football fan myself, but who can resist a game of Madden? Jay and the Packers scored early on, and I came back late in the first half with the Seahawks. #4 now made it's debut. After battling in the rain all of the second half, it was time for a little sudden death in overtime. We knocked out #5 and headed back onto the field. Jay won it in the end, and we shut the game down. Becca and I settled in under the blankets on the floor, said our good nights, and went to sleep. By morning, Becca was on the couch and I was struggling between a very soar hip and a shoulder that felt like it was on fire. I decided to get up and geek out on the Mac till people woke up.
Manda was the first one to join us in the living room, and we had a good time shooting the shit and being silly. Jay woke up shortly before their parents got the house and Manda got to making breakfast for the family. She cooked up some amazing scrambled eggs, link sausage, ham, and bacon. After that was all gone, it was time for some french toast. wow.... we were all stuffed. Jay started handing out gifts to everybody as we sat in a circle in the room talking and what not. At this point, I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew they weren't at all like my family, and no one opened a single thing until everything was handed out. The stockings were free game and everybody started pulling gifts out and opening them up. I had mine done pretty quick, and thought I would open my card from Becca's Dad while I was waiting. Becca asked me what I was doing, and I told her I was just opening my card. I was quickly told that's not the way they do things. I put my knife away and sat the card down between the couch cushions and watched while everybody else opened their stockings. After that was all threw, and everybody talked about what they got, Manda decided Jay would open a single gift first since he had the most gifts. We went around the room, in no particular order, opening presents. Each present that was opened came with it's own introduction from the giver about why they gave it. I enjoyed this ritual. I liked the fact that there was thought put into every gift and the receiver was told about it. Everybody got gifts they really needed, or things that really fit their interests and personality's. There were no generic gifts from people who didn't know what to give. The only money gift cards that were given were to Becca's mom and myself, but they were given with a good reason and not just to get out of buying a personal gift. At the very end, we all opened our cards. Everybody read them, and had a special moment. Everybody in the room had a smile on their face and the mood felt warm.
Afterwards, we all sat and talked and laughed together. No one got up and rushed out the door. No one left the room to get away. It was great. Everyone was there to be with their loved ones. After all the food was gone, the gift giving was over, and everything was cleaned up there was still the purpose of the event. Family.
Thinking back on the day, I am happy to have found such a close family. They're by no means perfect, but their there for each other. They understand that family comes first, and at the end of the day, they're all any one of them really has.
