December, to me, is the most romantic month of the year.

I love the holiday season. I feel a boundless awakening mixed with emotional wonderment. The spirit of giving and family togetherness makes my heart sing. The enjoyment of gift giving fits the times. Looking for the perfect gift for a loved one, feeling the excitement when I finally find it and then tucking it away until the moment I present it to that someone I love.

December is also the perfect time to teach the value of giving to children and grandchildren; that giving a gift is more important and heartfelt than getting a gift.

The magic of December

I live in a condominium with my husband, Shelly, and our dog, America, on the 71st floor overlooking ‘my beautiful Chicago’. I do not live in Chicago year-round and yet, in December, I often return. When I leave my building, I am surrounded by breathtaking tree-lined streets with lights all aglow sparkling like twinkling stars. Festivity fills the air.

I notice young and old walking arm-in-arm, laughing with friends and family, and carrying brightly colored packages filled with loving gifts. I hear the ringing bells of the Salvation Army, the sounds of Santa Claus chuckling with little ones. I am wide-eyed when I look into the beautiful storefront shops, with a multitude of decorative items. I feel so joyful, I begin to speed up my gait as I chart my course through the maze of happiness. December is the most romantic month of my year.

December is a month of love

I love the religious part of the holidays. I notice the beautiful wreaths on the church doors; I listen to the church bells ringing and children singing; I see Christmas trees and, earlier this month, Menorahs, brightly lit and aglow. I am sure, by now, you can understand why I think December is the most romantic month of the year.

But, there is more: Shelly and I celebrate our wedding anniversary each December. I chose the month because December romances me.

December and I fit hand-in-glove because I am a romantic in every sense of the word: I am passionate about everything.

I am over the top sentimental. My mind thrives on beautiful thoughts and beautiful things! I am a cockeyed optimist. I am most impractical with romantic notions on just about every subject. And quite frankly, I think it is a wonderful way to be. As my darling husband says, “my wife has a utopian outlook on life, but she is anything but dumb!” And I say, “It is lovely to be starry-eyed, yet grounded.” Can you relate?

As a reminisce about the glorious — with hills and valleys, of course —  twenty-five years plus years of my romantic adventure as the wife of Sheldon Good, I am full of gratitude. It has been a great ride… and the adventure continues.

If all my wishes could come true, I would wish I could go back and re-live every day since we first met. I know I cannot and tears well up in my eyes as more than a quarter century of memories flash and flood my mind and heart. I think of the love and adoration, the excitement, the learnings, and yes, even the tragedies, we have lived through as husband and wife, and as best friends.

The best things about December

Even this small-town Jewish girl from Kankakee by the Sea can appreciate the world’s fascination with December. It’s a glorious month! Here are just a few reasons that I love December. I would love to know what yours are!

1. Ice skating by the Bean in Chicago, aka Cloud Gate.
2. Hot Chocolate at Ghiradelli, just steps from my home in the clouds in Chicago.
3. My wedding anniversary, of course.
4. Holiday parties and visiting family + friends… I love to entertain!
5. The sense of kindness that overtakes people this time of year.
6. Time spent with family and friends.
7. Christmas cookies and Sweet Rugelach.
8. Shopping for gifts for the people that matter to me.
9. Parties and the many excuses to dress up.
10. The hope, joy, and optimism that comes with the dawn of a New Year.

What do you love most about this time of year? Please share your thoughts with me via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or in the comments section below.

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