O Tannenbaum.

Since we were previously living in a condominium tower, where they have very strict Fire Safety rules, Nat and I have never been able to get a proper Christmas tree together.

So this past weekend, free of any regulations, we went out and "rescued" a small, skinny tree from the flower shop down the street.

Nat saw it and instantly knew that it was the perfect tree to represent our first "real" Christmas together, meaning the first time we get to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in our own home, just the two of us.

I must admit, I was a little put-off at first at the scrawniness of the little tree. But Nat's eyes were wide and shining with excitement, and that - partnered with his big beautiful grin - was enough to pull at my heart strings and agree that yes, it was perfect.

Our little tree, before the trimming.
That be Grimble Grumble the Garden Gnome next to it....

Nat prepares the tree to be trimmed.

How could you say "no" to that face?!

Putting on the finishing touches.

Et voilà! Our little tree in all it's glory!

Later that night I was making dinner, with a full view of the scene from the kitchen. I became very emotional looking at that sparkly, little tree.

Yes, it's small. Yes, it's a bit...lean. But it's our very first tree together, with many, many more to come in the future.

How many more will there be...40? 50, even?

Thinking about that, about all of the Christmases to come, about how every year our family will grow and change with the season, with children and eventually - God-willing - grandchildren, each one having their own moments with every tree...overwhelms me with such happiness and love.

Do others feel the same way? Do you get as emotional as I did thinking about it? I hope so...because it was too magical a feeling to keep to myself.

Ryan's F-Word

My brother is trying to raise money for a wonderful charity, and if he raises $2500 or more he can win a chance to cook with Gordon Ramsey.

Click HERE to donate generously, and enjoy the tribute video below.