Don't Stop Believing

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I don't remember getting excited about Santa as a kid, so I think I stopped believing in him when I was relatively young. My mom used to tell the story of how she once overheard me say to my sister "I don't believe in Santa anymore, but we need to pretend to because Mommy still does."


I do remember discussing the merits of Santa vs. the Easter Bunny with a friend in elementary school. In this grade school philosophical discussion, I opined that Santa seemed much more believable because he was actually human and he was a better assistant for Jesus. So maybe I did believe in Santa longer than I think, but he just didn't make a lasting impression. (Or at least a positive impression. In at least two Christmas specials from my childhood—"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Twas the Night Before Christmas"—Santa was a total jerk).

Read Chad's full column
I will admit that I am a little mystified by, and yes, jealous of, children who still believe in Santa at age 8, 9, or even 10 and beyond. But I feel very lucky that as an adult I've been able to make up for any lost Santa experiences. No, I don't literally believe in Santa again, (although our friend Gary is an awesome professional Santa and I believe Gary exists!). Rather, I've been blessed with Christmases full of the excitement and wonder Santa symbolizes, thanks mostly to Chad. 

Chad set the Christmas bar pretty high when he proposed to me via his newspaper column 21 years ago (yes, our engagement is now old enough to drink). He even worked Santa into his column. And  the years since then have also been pretty darn Christmastastic. We both get downright giddy with anticipation and excitement over exchanging presents, not because our presents are lavish but because we just revel in being big kids and surprising each other. As Rosalee recently said about Monroe on an episode of "Grimm," Chad makes me feel like the kid I never was. 

This year my awesome friend Stephanie gave me an ornament that says "Don't Stop Believin'." Not only does this cause a most delightful earworm (and remind me of the amazing Journey concert I got to see at the State Fair this summer) it's very good advice. I won't stop believing in all the magic and wonder of Santa and 70's/80's hair bands. 


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