Confession

Hi, I'm Katie, and I'm a Christmasaholic.

As much as I love the holidays, I have often scoffed at the people who put up their Christmas trees in early November and the businesses that put out Christmas merchandise as soon as Halloween is over. I even remember talking last year about how it's a shame we don't spend more time thinking about Thanksgiving before diving into the Christmas season. Well, it is with embarrassment that I admit to you that I've got an acute case of Christmasitis this year.

Today I listened to this on the way home from class:

This CD has quickly become one of my favorites to listen to during the holidays. I mean, who doesn't enjoy some JG every now and then? He's got the smoothest voice I think I've ever heard. Also, his arrangement of "I'll be Home for Christmas" gets me all choked up every time I hear it. We all know the chorus:

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow

and mistletoe

and presents under the tree

Christmas Eve will find me

where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

if only in my dreams...

For the past two Christmases, Justin and I haven't been able to make the trip to Michigan. Last year, I was incredibly blessed to have my sister here for the holidays, but of course, I missed my parents and brother so, so incredibly much. Every time I hear "I'll be Home for Christmas," it brings back a flood of memories that make me pine for the Christmases of my youth. The "if only in my dreams" part is what always gets me.

Today when I listened to it, I got a little teary eyed again, but for a different reason: this year, my family is coming to celebrate Christmas with us! People say that home is where the heart is. Well, a piece of my heart always stays with my family, no matter how much distance separates us or how long we are apart. So, in essence, this year I will be home for Christmas, and let me tell you -- it is an amazing feeling!

Now, I don't plan to put up the tree early or anything like that. I love autumn, and want to enjoy the season while it lasts. But if you happen to stop next to me at a red light and see me singing my heart out to "O Come All Ye Faithful," don't think I'm crazy... just blame it on the Christmas spirit that came a little early for me this year.

Love and Lattés,

Katie