We’ve heard the cheers following him as he’s made his way down Main, but this is the most crowded part of the route, and the cheers are deafening. Everyone knows what it means when the marching band starts this song.
Sure enough, the band stops in front of the dais to finish the song. They bow to the mayor, who waves, and then they peel off to march around the dais to the right to take their space in the green, softly playing another verse of the song.
Only two trumpet players remain at the two front corners of the dais, and at a cue I don’t see, they raise their trumpets to blow a fanfare with strong nods to “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The band director had emailed me with his idea for this embellishment, and I had no idea how well it would work.
I only wish Levi was standing beside me, watching the magic unfold.
And then, there’s Santa. The Santa-est Santa who ever Santa-ed. He’s waving his white-gloved hands as Rusty, wearing a Santa hat and sparkly suspenders beside him, handles the reins. The reindeer look magnificent, bells jingling on their halters, tinsel woven all over the place, and the gasps of awe feed my Christmas spirit.
I catch the expressions on the faces of two young sisters, their eyes growing huge at the sight of the reindeer.
The older one turns to the younger one, and I can read her lips plainly.It’s the real Santa.
An arm slides around my waist, and Levi bends to rumble in my ear, “Merry Christmas. You did it.”
I give him a kiss, one that couldn’t possibly read as friendly to anyone, but I don’t care who’s watching. There will be a million aggravations between now and when Christmas Town closes tomorrow night, but it’s here. We’ve done it.
The rest of the night goes as planned. Santa steps from his sleigh to the dais, and the mayor makes a short speech welcoming him and thanking him for officially opening Christmas Town.
Santa gives a jollyho ho hoand tells the crowd in his rich baritone how delighted he is to visit with the good boys and girls tonight and tomorrow.
Then, with a countdown from the crowd, he throws the switch, and Christmas Town blazes to life behind him, the green transformed into a magical alpine village promising wonders and delights.
Once the mayor walks Santa to his photo set complete with his large, comfy chair, we officially remove the velvet ropes on either side of the dais, and the crowd spills into the green, chattering and laughing to the cheerful strains of the band playing “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Tucked against Levi’s side, I watch the people stream past.
“Worth it?” he asks.
“Every year,” I tell him. “It made Christmas magical when I was a kid, and I’m so glad Glynnis Hunsaker let me take over.”
“Tata!” an excited voice calls, and I spot Gage running toward me, slightly ahead of Rome, who hangs back, holding hands with Sara and my dad.
I crouch and scoop Gage into a hug. “Hey, buddy. Are you so excited to go talk to Santa?”
“Yeah!”
“You too?” I ask Rome, who nods.
“Then as an early Christmas present, I got you a special front-of-the-line pass.”
Gage cheers and Rome gives me a big smile. I remove a piece of cardstock from my clipboard and hand it to Sara. “Give this to the girl dressed like a snowflake. She’ll know what it’s for.”
“Thank you, Tay,” she says. “You’re the best.”
“Couldn’t have pulled any of this off without you. Now go see Santa.”
They hurry in his direction, but my parents stay, my dad watching us closely as Levi keeps me snug against his side.
“It’s perfect so far, honey,” my mom says.
“Hey, Dr. B,” Levi says. “I’m dating your daughter now.”
My mom’s eyes widen and dart between us, a smile lighting up her face.
“You’re dating my daughter,” my dad repeats. “And you’re not asking me?”
“No, sir.”
