I can hear our family chatting and excitedly anticipating dinner. The children are playing and laughing, our kitties are enjoying the extra attention, and Nicolas and I are together, sharing a quiet hug in our kitchen, in our new home.Does it get any better than this?
“Are you ready?” he asks.
I smile, thinking about our little surprise. He turns around, having finished plating the foie gras and washing his hands, and he takes out the engagement ring hidden in his pocket to place it where it belongs. Seeing the gorgeous vintage ring, with its gold band and the beautiful diamond flanked by little pink stones, makes my stomach flutter all over again. Just like this morning, when I woke up to my boyfriend on one knee, with his earnest blue eyes and the snow falling outside our bedroom window. It was intimate, heartfelt, and perfect.
“I wonder how long it’ll take for them to notice,” I gingerly whisper.
Knowing my girls, it won’t be long…
Nicolas smiles, and we quietly exchange one soft, heartfelt kiss and another of our amazing hugs. It’s quiet in the kitchen, and we enjoy our little bubble for a few precious seconds, knowing it might be a little while before we get this privacy again. But even with our little crowd of guests, a long dinner, and some holiday shenanigans, this time, I know Nicolas and I will still look out for each other. With quiet glances across the room, winks when our cooking or home is praised, soft touches under the table, stolen hugs whenever we crave them, and a few whispered sentences just for the other to hear.
Because this isourChristmas.
And it doesn’t have to be perfect at all! In fact, while I know there will be plenty of laughter, smiles, hugs, and warm moments, I’m sure there will also be a few heated debates, some burned toast, more smashed baubles, and maybe a tantrum or two… but there won’t be anything we cannot handle with some love, patience, and kindness. I’ve already mentally prepared myself for an argument or two, and we’ve set our bedroom as Nicolas’s quiet space, if he needs a breather. We’ve even planned a couple of frozen dishes and a spare dessert, just in case!
Again, there is no such thing as a perfect Christmas… but the best ones are those we will remember thanks to all the warmth they brought us, the love we shared, and even their small imperfections.
While I’m still marveling at how much we’ve accomplished, Parveen appears at the door, beaming.
“Aw, look at you two lovebirds! Is everything done already?” she asks.
“I think so!” I nod. “It just needs to be taken out there, and we can start!”
“Wonderful! Let me take that platter, and I’ll round up everyone. This all looks so amazing, doesn’t it? We did so well! I’m so excited for everyone to try it!”
We exchange an excited wink before she leaves the room, and I turn to Nicolas, grinning uncontrollably. He’s about to take plates of foie gras toasts, but before he does, I hug him tight again.
“I love you so, so much,” I whisper.
“I love you too,” he says, hugging me back.
“This might be the best Christmas ever.”
“You made it happen,” he whispers.
“No,wedid,” I correct. “You and I made this magic happen, Nicolas.”
This is our home, and we’re celebrating with our loved ones.
I used to think that Christmas was magical because it justhappened,all around us, full of twinkling lights and shiny decorations. But today, I understand that the best magic is the magic we make ourselves for those we love.
It’s every little present we wrap, every dessert we bake, and every moment we dedicate to them. It’s the beauty of sharing a season when everyone gets to slow down and reconnect with what matters the most. It’s warm and tender like a hot cocoa on a cold day, and beautiful like the glow of tiny lights on a long winter night. It’s cozy pajamas by the crackling fireplace when we’re tired, and a soft hug that says,I’m here.
And in that quiet, precious moment, I just know one thing.
This Christmas magic is all ours.
Eleven
Bonus Epilogue - The Letter
Québec City, December 24th
Dear me,
Another exciting year has gone by!
So many things happened… We just celebrated our first anniversary with Nicolas, our wonderful boyfriend! Work has never been so exciting, our blog is thriving, and we got a new kitty to spoil!
