The Sweetness of the Season
It’s been at least a decade since I’ve even heard a joke about fruitcake.
I have a vague memory of trying a piece of the legendary dessert that I grew up hearing about as a child of the 90’s. Luckily it was freshly baked, and tasted fine. I say only legendary because of the supposed shelf life - it lasts forever! It tastes awful, but it (supposedly) lasts forever.
Frankly, that’s not the kind of swirling snowglobe I want dancing around in my stomach. Not at all.
These vague memories and legends of holidays past dance around us as we celebrate once again this year, partnering with new memories to add to our collective experiences that help shape us into who we are meant to be. But perhaps the amount of sugar necessary to make a fruitcake last forever can instead be an everlasting sweetness shared with those we love.
Luckily, my stomach is a swirling snowglobe of butterflies every week on date night, no fruitcake necessary.
I have never considered myself a “traditional” person. The experiences that have helped shape me into who I am meant to be have been far from traditional. Holiday celebrations hold a special place in my heart though, because of the loved ones through the years who invite me along to celebrate anyway. And I’m mixing up some new memories to stick in the oven this year with a perpetual shelf life of their own.
When I look back on the wonderful memories I have with my man so far, what always shines through is the beautiful simplicity of spending time together. Lately, we’ve enjoyed collaborating on creative projects in our favorite video games, exploring a whole new world of possibilities together. We’re also enjoying the festive lights and hot buttered rums of the season. And the cookies! I love the sweeter things in life, in case you couldn’t tell. And I know I’m running out of time, but I’m also excited to share my favorite Christmas movies with him. Even if he doesn’t share the same nostalgia, I know he will lovingly sit with me to relive the excitement of a new Red Ryder BB Gun, The Grinch stealing Christmas again, and over an hour of Will Ferrell running around in yellow tights, because he knows how much sharing these films with him means to me.
My partner is pretty nonchalant, yet incredibly romantic. I love this so much about him. His personality is so lovingly grounding for me. The shelf life of a fruitcake has nothing on this man’s effortless and perpetual affection. The sweetness of his company fills me up long before we finally decide what to do for dinner every week, almost never saving room for dessert. I certainly can’t complain!
Not gonna lie though, the budget is kind of tight this year. My non-traditional personality leaves me incapable of caring less about receiving presents, but my love for giving the joy of a gift will never falter.
Luckily, our time is priceless. Our presence is a gift of its own. Cheesy, yes, but also delectably sweet. There have been many date nights where we desire nothing but each other’s company, only investing in the inherent value of each other and our relationship. And maybe a pizza. Cheesy isn’t always something to roll our eyes at.
He doesn’t know this yet, but this year for Christmas, we’re going to start learning how to dance together. His taste in music is impressively extensive, my experience in movement spans over many years, and together, we’re going to step on each other’s toes a few times. With love. While learning to learn together. Because our company is precious, and our connection with each other deserves a new depth of its own. An everlasting shelf life with an exquisite flavor that never expires.
My experience tells me that an hour or two of learning to dance together is just one tiny baby step. My sweet tooth reminds me to wait on baking cookies until after. My heart leaps with joy knowing that this baby step of learning how to learn together will apply both on and off the dance floor, aka my living room in this case, for every holiday and date night to come. And my relationship so far is the only reassurance I need to begin this journey with him. Here I go, shaking up that snowglobe of butterflies again!
May your time, company, and hearts be equally full of love and sweets this year.
Happy Holidays!
With Love,
Caia Claire
