"Christmas will always be as long as we stand heart to heart and hand in hand." — Dr. Seuss

34. "There's a certain magic that comes with the very first snow. For when the first snow is also a Christmas snow, well, something wonderful is bound to happen." — Frosty the Snowman

Merry Christmas everyone

If you don't celebrate Christmas then I hope that you had a great day.

"Are there really no flights? This is my wife and I's first Christmas together." I feel my voice getting raised. I know it sounds weird. Our first Christmas together. But it is true.

"Sir, I assure you that If there was a seat, I would let you know. The best that I can do is to put you on standby."

Standby. Ugh. I take a deep breath. "Ok ma'am thank you." I guess that I have no choice but to wait. So, I grab my luggage and go find a seat. Across from me is some guy. He's in a suit. I wonder if he is trying to get home before Christmas.

The guy sits straight up and looks at me. "I'm sorry, did I hear you say that this is you and your wife's first Christmas together?"

Again, I know, I know. It sounds a little weird. I let out a small laugh. "Yes, I am sure that is not something that you hear too often. We got together 4 years ago. We were both 20 and she had went with her parents to Florida for Christmas." We had been dating for 10 months at that point.

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." I smile into the phone.

"This sucks, our first Christmas and we aren't even in the same time zone."

I sigh. "I know Mon. But hey, I have presents for you when you come back home."

I know she's smiling at the thought of that. "I can't wait to see you."

"Me either Mon."

"Then our next Christmas, my parents had just given me the family advertising agency. So I had to work on Christmas. There was so much that had to get done. There was no time that could be taken off. Which of course, ended up in a fight." It was originally my grandfather's when he retired, my dad tried to take over but really didn't show much interest. We were so close to losing the business all together. Then my dad thought it would be a good idea for me to take over. I mean, it is my passion after all. I am so grateful that he gave it to me and that he trusted me. That made me so happy. It also meant that I could start my life.

"Chandler, you promised you wouldn't work today."

I took Monica off of speaker so no one could hear our conversation. "I am sorry Monica. My family just gave this a week ago. I didn't realize how much work this would entail this close to the holiday's."

She's silent for a moment. "Will you at least be home for dinner?"

"Mon-"

"I get it. Glad we did presents last night."

"I love you Mon." I don't like disappointing her.

"I love you too Chandler."

Then last year. She had to go with her family back to Florida. Her grandmother was really sick and needed them down there. She wanted to stay with me but I told her that she should go. We had just gotten engaged. I did it a week before Christmas so she wouldn't have expected it. Oh it was wonderful. In Central Park they were doing horse drawn carriage rides. So we did that and walked around for a little bit. They had that place lit up. It was so beautiful. I was nervous. Before I chickened out, I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. It was magical.

"Hey babe, how is your grandmother?"

"She's improving. The DR said that she'll recover."

"Great. I miss you."

"I miss you too. I'm sorry that I couldn't be there."

"It's ok. We're getting married. We will have plenty more Christmas' together."

"You're right. I love you so much."

"I love you too."

"Now this year, we got married in July. We just found out that she is 2 months pregnant and I really want to make it there for Christmas."

The guy nods. "I understand. Congratulations by the way. I think you will make it on time."

I smile. "Thank you."

After waiting there for a couple of hours, I finally get on a flight. Funny enough, I am sitting beside the same guy I was talking to in the airport. Turns out, he lives in New York too. He and his wife have 6 kids. Wow, I couldn't imagine. They have a set of twin girls that are 14. A son that is 9. Another son that is 6. A 3 year old daughter. And a 2 year old daughter as well. And they have been married for 16 years. Impressive. He was in Boston at a conference. I had to go there for a training.

I finally reach the apartment at 6am on Christmas morning. Finally, we are together on Christmas. When I reach our bedroom, I see that she is sleeping so peacefully. I love this woman. I take a shower and climb slowly into bed. I am careful to not wake her. When my head reaches my pillow, her eyes open and light up.

"You made it."

I lean in and kiss her. "I did." I kiss her again. "Finally. Our first Christmas together." And just think, next Christmas we will have a 5 month old son or daughter crawling around. Wow I can't wait. I know she can't either.

She curls up in our arms. "Our first one."

We both drift off to sleep. We can open presents later.