I can't even begin to describe the joy my Santa brought me today, and the pure oh-god-I'm-going-to-cry thoughtfulness she clearly put into this AMAZING gift. She truly is the perfect Santa, and embodies what these exchanges are all about! I just hope she received a gift as wonderful as the one she gave me. <3 (Warning: this is long. Like, really long.)

First, I was so excited to receive my gift that I met the mailman at my door, and said in a rush, "OHHIISTHATPAKAGEFORME?!" Then I had to locate my phone, because I didn't want to accidentally get so excited that I forgot to take pictures. When I opened the box, I noticed a handwritten letter along with four beautifully wrapped packages, each with a little note on the wrapping. At this point, I was glad my boyfriend was at work, because I started making these oh-no-I've-gotten-too-excited hiccup sounds that were terribly embarrassing.

I, of course, read the letter first and totally teared up. My Santa checked out my reddit profile, and noticed I'm an aspiring writer, and she gave me words upon words of encouragement--something I sorely need now that I've moved to a new city without a job and am desperately hoping I can get myself published. Yesterday, I was having a particularly panicky day, so this letter of awesomeness really couldn't have come at a better time.

Then the packages! I had no idea how I could have FOUR gifts, but I was anxious to find out. The first one I opened contained two YA books I've been DYING to read (this is a funny joke, because one of them contains ~murder~). I'm going to try so hard not to gobble them both up in one sitting... but I will most likely fail. My second package included two books I desperately need: The Emotion Thesaurus and The Negative Trait Thesaurus. Honestly, I was freaked out for a moment, because I thought that my Santa could somehow remotely access my internet history, because if she did, she would see how many times a day I visit Thesaurus.com (hint: it's a stupidly embarrassing amount). I am going to get a TON of use out of these books.

My third package was a total and complete surprise (not that the other ones weren't as well, but this one really shocked me): a gluten free cookbook! I suppose in her reddit searching, she noticed that I've posted a couple of times about being allergic to wheat, and she gifted me her own copy of this fantastic cookbook! I've already flipped through it a bit (I'm a bit of a baker and cook), and I know this cookbook will be a definite staple. I'm always looking for new ways to eat yummy food without destroying my poor, abused digestive system.

My fourth and final package also made me tear up (I have never been more glad to not have bothered with makeup yet). I posted recently about struggling to find inspiration to write. Life has been so stressful with my move, and I haven't felt able to just sit and write without worry. So my lovely Santa sent me a package of her favorite pens, and a small moleskine notebook I can keep in my purse for whenever inspiration strikes! I mean, can you get any more thoughtful and kindhearted than that?

Today, in honor of my Santa, I will both read and write--even if only a paragraph or two. Her encouragement and belief in a total stranger have inspired me to do what I love, even when everything feels crazy and stressful and impossible. Thank you a million times, Santa!