Waking Up to Christmas
Christmas Day started around 7:45am—with a headache. Not exactly the magical beginning you hope for, but nothing a little ibuprofen and patience couldn't soften. I waited for the house to come alive, coffee in hand, bracin myself for the day ahead.
Jennifer had stayed the night. She helped wrap gifts the evening before, and since she doesn't drive, that's usually how Christmas Eve works for us. It's practical. Familiar. Part of the rhythm.
Not long after, Tyler and Jaden's mom, Tiffany, arrived with her boyfriend, Scott—and about thirty more gifts. By the time everything was under the tree, we were pushing close to 130 presents.
It was... a lot.
The Chaos and Joy of Gift Giving
As usual, I played the role I always do—handing out presents, one by one, trying to keep some order in the chaos. Wrapping paper everywhere. Kids bouncing between excitement and overload.
Some moments stood out.
Brandon got an e-scooter.
Isabella got a cell phone—with service. She actually talks to her friends, and I made sure her mom's number was programmed in from the start.
Jaden opened a laptop.
Tyler received a new dresser and a phone to replace the one that had been giving him trouble.
Tiffany brought donuts from Dunkin', and I clung to my coffee like it was essential equipment. I'm not convinced I function without it.
By the time the last gift was opened, nearly an hour and a half had passed. We started a little cleanup, thought it barely made a dent.
A Detour in the Middle of the Day
My mom had the turkey in early, so I used a quick errand as an excuse to step out. She needed soda. Or at least, that's what I said.
I went to see Eve.
Of course, I was gone longer than expected, and it didn't take long for my mother to connect the dots. A small argument followed—nothing explosive, just the familiar friction that comes from different expectations.
I took Eve with me to the store because she needed to go too. Afterward, we picked up one of her relatives and headed back to her place. Along the way, I met the girl's mom, who apparently thinks I'm a good guy based on what she's heard. I also met their one-year-old baby.
Dangerously cute.
I felt a very real wave of baby fever and immediately laughed at myself for it.
Back to the Celebration
I dropped Eve off and headed home, soda in hand—only to discover one of the six-packs was expired and flat. Figures.
Still, we moved on. Christmas doesn't pause for details like that.
We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to enoy the time before dinner. Eventually, the house filled even more. Seventeen people total. Noise, laughter, overlapping conversations, and the kind of energy that only happens on holidays.
Dinner finally arrived. We ate. I helped clean where I could. Later, I drove Jennifer home—stopping at three gas stations along the way for reasons that now blur together.
Somewhere earlier in the day, we'd managed to feed seven people lunch from Burger King for just $33 thanks to coupons—after driving around to find one that was actually open.
Small victories.
Ending the Day Quietly
When I got back, I did a bit more cleaning. Resetting spaces. Closing loops where I could.
Like every day lately, I talked to Eve throughout the day. At one point, she asked if I wanted some... affectionate time.
I had to say no.
That wasn't easy.
It's strange—in the best way—to feel wanted like that. To have someone invest energy into wanting to see you to talk to yu, be with you. Not just for fun, not just for conversation, but for closeness too.
It's a good feeling. A grounding one.
Tonight, thouh, exhaustion won.
What Christmas Gave Me
This Christmas wasn't quiet. It wasn't simple. It wasn't smooth.
But it was full.
Full of people.
Full of effort.
Full of moments I'll remember long after the wrapping paper is gone.
And for all the chaos, all the driving, all the small arguments and detours—it felt like a day lived completely.
That's enough for me.