So this is my fourth attempt at writing this thank you to my Santa as I have not been able to make it through the other attempts due to literal tears...

Let me start by saying... Reddit Secret Santa gods, you’ve outdone yourselves! I couldn’t have been matched with a more perfect Santa!

Several days ago I received an email from my Santa informing me that she had mailed part of my gift (an adorable chicken stamp for my egg cartons with my hometown on it along with a sweet note and some candies!) and she also let me know that she lived in the next town over from me! The odds, Reddit! Not only the odds... but this cool lady is also a 30-something, childless, chicken and herding dog mom, just like me! I mean, c’mon! How wild is that?!

She told me that the second part of my gift was a tad challenging to mail, so she offered to drop it off or meet me to deliver it. We decided to meet for a beer at a local brewery. I was quite a bit nervous since I’ve never been able to meet a Santa in person before! We met at her car and she proceeded to open her rear door and grab a rather large wooden object. When she flipped it around, I saw the loving face of my recently departed 16 year old dog, Moxie, painted on the wooden canvas. I completely lost it. Tears from me. Tears from my Santa. Happiness and kindness exuded everywhere. I didn’t give my Santa much to work with on my gift exchange preferences. I like to leave those semi-vague so that it’s always a surprise to see what sort of gift my Santa comes up with. But Erin (Santa) did some incredible internet sleuthing and saw a post on my Instagram about the recent passing of my Moxie. The giant painting that she had commissioned for me (by a local artist who paints the store windows of downtown W. Asheville, NC) is truly incredible. The artist captured my dog’s personality beautifully. The thoughtfulness and kindness that went into this gift is utterly amazing to me.

Erin and I then had a beer and a lovely conversation about our many shared interests. She even showed me her live chicken cam (which I am absolutely looking into, Erin!). I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first encounter with a totally random internet stranger!

I’m forever grateful for this experience of Secret Santa. Erin’s kindness and generosity has helped renew my faith in humanity. Guys, there are still super amazing and thoughtful and kind and wonderful people out there. They really do exist. And some of them even live in the next town over from you. Thank you, Erin. May you always continue have the kindest of hearts.