The Most Romantic Christmas Ever.

Christmas Eve. I finished the wrapping, watched "The Grinch" (the original animated version, not that horrible full-length film), had some egg nog, and made the easiest fudge in the world (1 can creamy milk chocolate frosting, 1 bag semi-sweet morsels, melted in a pan and poured into a foil-lined 8x8 pan, firmed in the fridge). At 9:30, I arrived at Michael's, where we enjoyed dinner-- which he had made. Roasted chicken and yummy ravioli filled with cheese and spinach. Then we sat in the living room and listened to the special "First Christmas" cd I had mixed just for us (see below).

Michael has never seen "It's a Wonderful Life." I, on the other hand, have watched it on Christmas Eve every year since 1979. It's my all-time favorite movie, and it was great fun to watch it with a first-timer. He loved it, and I cried several times during the movie-- something I haven't done in years.

After the film, we stood in the kitchen and talked, and hugged, and then I said, "I have something to tell you.... (wait for it, wait for it)... I love you." And he said, "Oh, and I love you, too." Then the passionate kiss, and the embrace, and the flood of joy and emotion. The rest of of the evening, we listened to the cd I made (again), then went to bed about 2:15 a.m. The dogs were with us on the bed, being their usual disruptive selves, but I didn't care. Every time one of us was awakened, we whispered to the other, "I love you." It was so beautiful, so heartwarming, so... right.

Christmas morning, I let Michael sleep a bit while I watched tv and thanked God for my blessings. Once Michael was up, we had coffee and exchanged cards (both perfect cards for the sentiment and the occasion), then gifts. I gave him the sweater I had bought him in NYC, a gift card to the Gap, and some of his favorite coffee, Starbuck's Verona Blend. He gave me a Gap gift card and a Starbuck's gift card. It was so sweet and simple and un-pretentious. I left to go home, take care of Bailey, and to go to my brother's for the family gathering.

My family numbers 19-- Mom and her husband, sister and her husband and 2 kids, older brother and his wife and 6 kids, younger brother and his wife and 2 kids. It's always chaos during the opening of presents; fortunately, we don't do a meal. We all bring hors d'ouevres and/or desserts and graze around the food whenever we're hungry. I managed to have a few moments to tell my younger brother and his wife about Michael (now the whole family knows), and my mom even asked me how it was going and how we spent our Christmas. She seemed genuinely interested... although I didn't share the part about professing our love. She'll know soon enough, and I'm sensible enough to edit where necessary.

My sister had drawn my name in the family grab bag, so it was more Gap gift cards and Crate & Barrel, too! I now have $150 in Gap gift cards... everyone was way too generous.

After leaving brother's, I returned to Michael's, picked him up, and we went to the home of a co-worker of his. They had invited us for Christmas dinner, and it was quite lovely. Here was this family of about 12 who welcomed us in, and we sat at the table and enjoyed a big ol' Christmas dinner. I knew I liked them when someone, during the toast, mentioned that 2008 would be Bush's last year in office, and everyone cheered. There was no judgement on anyone's part, and I felt as though they were really happy for me and Michael. We sneaked out after an insanely large cannoli cake was sliced and served.

The holiday came to a close with cuddling on the couch, kissing, and saying, "I love you" over and over. I got home about 10:30, and I had the best night's sleep I've had in a long time.

FYI... the "First Christmas" cd included the following songs:

1. "Just in Time for Christmas" Nancy LaMott

2. "In the End" Kevin McMahon

3. "Here & Now" Jana Stanfield

4. "That's the Way I Feel About You" Jana Stanfield

5. "Let's Fall in Love This Christmas" John Berry

6. "We Can Be Kind" Nancy LaMott

(all of the above titles available on iTunes)