1994

I was thinking about it last night and realized, to my shock, that the last time I had Christmas with my family was 1994.

Now, Christmases with my family weren't all starlight and holly-bushes, and Christmases with Lou's family are boisterous, fun, and filled with joy (in general). But still ... it's been almost a decade and a half since I had my own family-of-origin to have Christmas with.

But you know what I really miss? And from much longer ago than 1994: I miss lying in bed on Christmas eve with my mom and grandmother at my grandparents' house in Fostoria, and hearing Santa's sleigh bells. (Yes, I really did. Several times. Take that, nonbelievers.) I've been listening for a quarter century now, and have never heard him anywhere else. Grandma must have had quite an in with jolly old St. Nicholas!