Sorry it took me so long to post my gift to the gallery, but between hitting the reddit bookmark on my bookmark bar, clicking r/secretsanta, and clicking "secret santa 2010 signups are now closed", I would get distracted many times, many, many times. "Oh, what was that rage comic I missed on the front page?"

So you know those girls that always say they can't live without their chapstick? Screw chapstick. Chapstick has always tasted bad and smelled bad. Using chapstick is kind of like spreading "I Can't Believe it's Not Butter" that has been left out on the counter for a little too long, onto your lips. When I was ~16, I discovered Burt's Bees. I don't really remember how or when, but I do remember that the $5 piece of plastic filled with God-knows-what and pomegranate oil felt wonderful on my lips. The smell wasn't overpowering nor did it taste like synthetic cherries.

Anyway, fast forward 4-5 years or so and we have me. Me in college. In Boston. Where it's cold. And the air is dry. I've stocked-piled (basically HOARDED) about 20 or so Burt's Bees chapsticks. No one knows about this; it's my own little secret formula to keep my lips moisturized and to prevent those nasty little dry rashes that pop up on the corner of your lips. applies a layer of Burt's Bees Outdoor Res-Q Lip Balm as I type this

I thought I did a fine job hiding my Burt's Bees obsession. Everyone knew me as a "fan" but no one knew that stashed in the corner of my top dresser drawer, behind the stack of PS3 games, under bottles of lotion and nail polish remover, was my small pouch full of lip happiness. I kept it a secret from my friends, my family, even the internet. However, the disguise of my scattered Q-tips, half used Manic Panic bottles and stolen (well, not really stolen) free hand sanitizer bottles did not fool ange_rx.

I think deep down inside, she knew where my dark spot was located. She knew what excited my neurons and what made the mitochondria in my cells jump. She purchased me what I think has been one of the most meaningful (and useful) gifts I have ever received.

Thank you ange_rx. My boyfriend thanks you too. My lips and my boyfriend's lips (by process of contact) will stay soft forever. Not to mention my feet, face, arms, and breath will stay healthy and happy too.

Wishing you a very soft and warm holiday/happy new year,

Susie