Thank you for finally showing up. Everyone has been anticipating your return, pretty much since the semester started. As much as it feels like Christmas was just yesterday, it also seems like those memories are a world away.

You use to be known as Christmas Break, and lately you've changed your name to Winter Break. It seems that labeling you one thing or another has become just one more thing for people to be offended about. Oh well, it doesn't matter. Either way, I'm excited that you're here!!!

I was driving home a few nights ago from the movie theater and I turned my radio to a local channel that was playing Christmas music. "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," made famous by Andy Williams, was playing and I began to sing along.

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year

At this part of the song, I turned down my street where Christmas lights were all aglow. The thought of having someone take me to see Christmas lights, make a gingerbread house with, and just do cute wintery stuff with began to cross my mind. But then I started thinking about how it really is the most wonderful time of the year. I may not have a guy in my life to take me to see Christmas lights, but I do have my family, who makes sure that we go see Christmas lights every year. I may not have a guy in my life to make a gingerbread house with, but I have always had my mom to help build our designer gingerbread house. I may not have a guy in my life to do cute wintery stuff with, but I have my family, my faith, and my friends.

As this thought crossed my mind, a smile crept onto my face and I began to sing louder, thankful for Winter Break, thankful for Christmas, and thankful for the most wonderful time of the year.

A lot of my excitement about you being here stems from another college semester, full of stress, memories, and lots of exams, being completed. Even through the blood, sweat, and tears, a lot of good memories were made. But still, I am thankful for a break.

To close my letter, I would just like to ask you, Winter Break, to linger. Don't fly by like our lives have started doing. Don't pass without allowing us to create moments that will forever loiter in our thoughts. Don't let us start the New Year and ask "where did the time go?" Bring us Christmas cheer, cherished time with our loved ones, and lots of Christmas cookies.

xoxo