It turns out I'm a pretty terrible giftee.

I'm terrible at replying to messages from my Secret Santa.

I'm terrible at realizing that I replied to my SS from last year instead of the one from this year.

I'm terrible at updating that I received my gift.

I'm terrible at posting my gift.

I'm also terrible at reading handwriting and therefore I am unsure if my SS is /u/dancekittendance or /u/dancekittehdance, so apologies to which ever one of you it isn't.

You know who's not terrible? My muthatruckin' Secret Santa.

A couple of days before the deadline to send gifts I noticed I had a message from my SS asking if I had any cast iron...sent a week ago. Of course I thought, "Oh no! I'm a terrible person." I replied that I actually have a bit of a problem and collect it. Realizing it had been a few days since my SS sent the message I knew it as my own fault if I ended up with one of the pieces I already had or had several of. No, big deal, I love the stuff and can always use more.

A few minutes after hitting send, I reread the message and noticed that my reply made no sense. I then realized that I somehow read another message from my SS from last year and combined them both in my head. Of course, I did what any sane person would do...I hit reply and said "I realize that made no sense....I'm not a crazy person at all. Nope." reassuring my SS that I was, in fact, a crazy person.

I received my gift one day, much earlier than I had ever expected. I sat it down on a side table in my kitchen while I debated opening it now or waiting for later. Seconds later I got distracted by something shiny. It sat there for several days while I, apparently a headless chicken, ran around doing my normal things (sidenote: finish up all consulting work before building startup in case it takes off quicker than expected).

A few days later, I finally had a free evening at home and decided I needed to cook some dinner. As I perused my pantry I noticed an odd box out of the corner of my eye. "Ah ha! My SS gift. Hunger pangs be damned! I must open my gift now!"

After having done the classic shake, smell, and guess (every family had that tradition, right!?!) I tore into the box with no concern for paper cuts. Upon opening the flaps I discovered a short note addressed to me and signed by my Secret Santa, one /u/dancekittehdance (or is that /u/dancekittendance ... no it's an 'h'...or an 'n').

Placing the note to the side I carefully opened the first sub-package to find a little cast iron skillet with included cinnamon roll! Not only do I not own that piece, but of all the random sweets it could be...I dig cinnamon rolls. With all the Secret Santa's I could have been paired with....this one gets me.

Setting the skillet/roll combo I pulled out the next curiously soft and light package. With my mind racing with possibilities I tore the wrapping paper off of it.

O! M! G!

A chef's jacket!?!?!? How is it even possible that my Secret Santa got me something I've always wanted, but would never purchase myself? I think I'll let the photos do the talking for how stoked I was. I've also included a few action shots of me using the jacket while finally cooking to subside those pesky, aforementioned hunger pangs.

My last exchange I got the most amazing little spatula/flipper thinger. It was one of my favorite gifts I have ever received, especially from an internet stranger. I cannot explain how happy it makes me to use that spatula while wearing this jacket. I'm fairly certain my roommate thinks I've turned into a short order cook.

Thank you /u/dancekittehdance or /u/dancekittendance, whichever/whoever you are. My apologies for being a terrible giftee, but you are amazing....I hope you keep staying rad.