I have to preface this just a little bit. My gifter (still anonymous at that time) was kind enough to ping me and ask a few questions to sort of narrow things down after matching occurred. The next day, they shipped my gift (+5 for being super on the ball!) The arrival date was set for Thursday the 4th. Unfortunately I was to head up to Seattle that morning so I wasn't going to be able to open it/make this post for a few days.

Sooooooooo...I went to Seattle. My long weekend turned into a stresscation of epic proportions. Very late Friday/very early Saturday my rental car was broken into and all of my friend's stuff was stolen. My rental car company wouldn't receive the car back until I got a police report, so we sat in the rain for a few hours and waited for an officer to come out and talk to us. I drove my friends home then trudged back to the airport to exchange the car, where I spent a significant amount of time filling out paperwork and being on the phone with my insurance company (still no idea on how the billing is going to shake out on that one.)

Then on Sunday, my debit card number was stolen, so my bank turned it off. Apparently charges in the amount of $44.98 to escort services (WHAT DOES THAT EVEN BUY?!?) are a red flag on my account (hooray?) I was now stuck out of state with no access to any funds. A really nice stranger even offered to lend me enough money to check my suitcase when they overheard me arguing with my bank at an ATM.

MONDAY I managed to get a speeding ticket on the way to the airport. This was absolutely my fault, but it still stunk. The officer told me I had 15 days to pay the ticket, and I laughed (probably a bit crazily) since I have no way to pay anything until my new bank card arrives. Hope it's less than 15 days.

I figured the Trifecta of Suck was completed at this point, but minor annoyances continued to occur. My flight was delayed going home. My boyfriend felt really bad about my tragicomedy of a weekend and took me out to dinner. There was a hair in my food. I pretty much gave up.

My gifter was kind enough to check in with me to make sure my gift was delivered/safe. It was (bf brought it in the house on Thursday) and my gifter was really nice and patient in waiting for me to confirm it had arrived since I pretty much went into a 5 hour ragenap when I got home. I didn't get a chance to open/document it because, you know, ragenap.

SO THEN I FINALLY GOT TO OPEN IT

There were two really nicely wrapped gifts in the box. (Bonus: my cats also love empty shipping boxes, so thank you for that as well.) The first box was labeled "Dear Fellow Redditor, Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! Faith in Humanity Restored! :)" The second tag said "It is only money you can't take it with you so I chose to share mine with kinds strangers like you <3"

Inside the first box was a brand-spanking new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9".

Inside the second box was a great case for the Kindle (the back flap even folds a bit to make a stands for the tablet. I can't even.

I read. A LOT. Like, an absurd amount. I make Goodwill runs often to pare down my insane book collection. When we moved in together, I labeled boxes of books as "Kitchen Stuff" to not look quite so bonkers to my boyfriend. I'm not sure if it worked, but still, I read an absurd amount for an adult with a more than full-time job. This is incredibly thoughtful and all-around amazing.

Please note: I know that it's the thought that counts, really. I'd be squeeing over a handmade anything. This is a thing I kind of need and love and yes, it's pricey, but that's the least important part (though greatly appreciated.) When I can do more for my matches I do, and when I can't, I don't. I'm just incredibly overwhelmed with generosity right now.

TL;DR? I've been so tired and so stressed the last few days, I will admit this one time that I got a bit teary. I blame unseen ninjas cutting onions nearby. Also, some people in the world are amazing and every now and you kinda get to interact with them. Thanks, gifter. I can't even tell you.

PS My gifter and I are both huge Alien nerds are will probably be friends forever now, at least on XBL.