So a few days ago, I get home from work and there's this gigantic box waiting at the door for me. Like, the box is big enough to put a small adult in.

It is labelled from my Secret Santa rematcher (my original gifter didn't come through), and it was taking all of my strength to not open the box yet. I was trying to not get my hopes up as I've had a pretty lousy few months, and don't want to set myself up for disappointment, so I wait until the family has gone to bed before unwrapping.

The first thing I see when I open the box is a note telling me to open it first. Inside is a card, and also a letter. This letter is really thoughtful and kind, and explains about the 12 gifts they've given me and my family. Already, I am blown away by all of the care and consideration that they've put into the letter. The letter tells me which of the numbered gifts are for which person, as they've also gotten some for my wife and kids. Amazing.

I start getting further into the gigantic box and the next thing that I noticed is that they gave me a brand-new hiking pack! It's a great pack with lots of good pockets & adjustments...and in each one of these pockets, it has either gifts or some tasty snacks. I have no idea how they picked them, but each one of them was delicious: some chocolates, tasty chips in a flavour I've never tried but really like, and a bunch more.

I took out all of the gifts and laid them out and marvel at them, and can't get over how fantastic this was: it was like an entire Christmas in a backpack.

I excitedly opened the gifts for me and was (and still am) truly touched with each of them. This past week was pretty much awful with a loss in my family, tough stuff at work, and our kids dealing with school shenanigans. This box full of gifts completely turned it all around, and really put smiles on every face in our house. Our kids have enjoyed the treats (at least the ones I didn't already eat) and the LEGO kits, my wife loves the scarf she got, and I love every gift I got.

This truly has been one of the kindest things to ever happen in my life, and I can't be more thankful and touched by this. Although I was pretty bummed that my original Secret Santa didn't come through, I am so fortunate that they did as I wouldn't have had such great luck to be the recipient of all these gifts, and so much at happiness at just the right time.