Christmas Wish

Somehow it’s Christmas again and the holiday media’s in full blast. The perfect family photos, the perfect gifts, those god damn Hallmark movies that people are either seemingly addicted to or produce a visceral hate for. (There seems to be no in-between on the matter)  The traditions can be cheesy but their well-practiced routines give joy to (allegedly) billions around the world.

But, me? Lindsey P? … I love a random fucking Christmas.

I love seeing where life takes me every holiday and when I think about it, I spent 18 years and the majority of my life doing the mom/dad/family Christmas stuff. (I was also the big sister in a house full of small kids, bless my heart)

It was always fun but (and with no shade to my parents) it was their thing.

Then, I made it to my college years. I can hardly remember what I did for these but I’m certain it involved eggnog daiquiris. In fact, those yuletide blended beauties were probably responsible for said holiday memory loss. Louisiana, amirite?

Next, I had my fateful boyfriend years. I was always in these 2 year monogamous relationships. For a long period, my holidays were spent with boyfriends or their families and I loved it. It was fun seeing other states’ traditions, other family dynamics and other religions and cultures. I enjoyed the adventures.

But now is my favorite Christmas experience so far. I’m in the “me” years- a concept that sparkly cheesy Christmas movies might have you thinking is the worst scenario imaginable. But I LOVE IT. I can spend time with my friends, I can go on a date, I can do absolutely nothing and do it naked if I please! It’s whatever Lindsey Pelas wants.

I’ve spent the last few holidays doing what I liked! I’ve volunteered, I’ve party-hopped, I’ve cooked a gumbo all day and watched my favorite movies. It’s been a blast.

Last year was actually my favorite Christmas I ever had.

After attending the Nutcracker, my friends and I went to a brunch. We drank wine. There were 2 girls and 2 guys. The five of us were single, not romantically interested in each other and 4/5 of us were sad enough to cry about it. You can guess who didn’t. ;)

We drank wine. We laughed about our love lives. We walked Sunset Blvd. We went to an empty bar, took shots with the bartender and tipped him handsomely for his valuable holiday service. There was giggling, dancing and a little bit of crying. It was chaotic, messy and just how I liked it. Christmas Day ended with my best friend and I eating Chinese food in our pajamas. It was the best day of my year.

While I could’ve spent the holiday wondering about the next one, my next love or my next adventure. I did the opposite. I savored every second. Every laugh, every tear and everything perfectly imperfect.

Because who knows if my holidays will look different next year or the years beyond. They will certainly look different as I grow and change with time.

But last Christmas, young, dumb and with crying friends at a bar on Sunset Blvd… And I loved every second of it.

So maybe if I can leave you with a little bit of me, I hope that you savor the season, whichever season of life you’re celebrating within. This version of you won’t last forever and whatever version it is… I hope you focus on love. Love, fun, and the beauty in all that is messy and imperfect. Imperfections make the best stories.

And yea, romantic Hallmark Christmases might be your speed, but Die Hard is a Christmas movie, too.

I hope you enjoy it your way. ;)

All my love,

Lindsey

Yippee Ki-yay Motherfucker