Mrs Claus Unwrapped

You know, I always thought our life was pretty normal. I’m 35, raised untraditionally, but I’m married to Tristan and we have two amazing kids. Tristan is the love of my life he’s solid, dependable, with a streak of quiet determination. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the day that four elves tumbled down our chimney and announced that Tristan was at the top of their list to be the next Santa Claus.

It was an evening like any other. We were home, cozy in front of the fire, when suddenly, there they were elves, actual elves brushing soot off their tiny jackets and looking very serious. "Mrs. Claus, it’s somewhat of an emergency," said Charlie, the tallest of the bunch. They explained that the current Santa’s health wasn’t up for the grueling Christmas Eve journey. He was fine, they assured us, just not spry enough to manage the global sleigh ride. So, the elves did what any good managers would do they called an audible.

“We need to fast-track the next Santa,” Charlie said, looking squarely at Tristan.

I couldn’t believe it. "Santa? Are you serious?" I asked, my voice shaking with disbelief. I mean, really Santa Claus? It sounded ridiculous!

But Tristan… oh, Tristan. He was quiet for a moment, and then he looked at me with that determined glint in his eyes. “I have to do this,” he said. “What are you talking about?” I replied “This isn’t real we must be dreaming”

But it wasn’t a dream and before I knew it Tristan was ready to go “You’re going to have to lie to everyone. Tell the kids once I’m packed for the trip.” He said.  And just like that, he was gone, off to start his training, leaving me sitting there, stunned, with a whirlwind of thoughts racing through my mind.

What would this make me? Mrs. Claus? The Mrs. Claus? I needed a few days to wrap my head around it, to get the kids together, deal with their schoolwork, and prep our animals for what I assumed would be a long and strange journey. I told the school we had a family emergency and that we’d be back in January. Family and friends got a different story—last-minute mission trip, I said. I’ve never lied so much in my life!

Then there was Piper, a sharp-eyed, quick-witted elf who seemed to be in charge of the details. “I’ll be back in a few days with the sleigh to pick you and the kids up,” she said. The sleigh. At this point, I just nodded, though inside, I still couldn’t believe what was happening.

The kids kept asking, “Where’s Dad?” and all I could say was, “He went on a trip, and we’re meeting him there.” My eldest, Alba, who’s twelve going on twenty, was getting suspicious. “What airline are we taking?” she asked. I just told her I’d explain everything once we were ready to fly.

Then the day arrived, just as promised, Piper showed us outside to where a sleigh and four reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen. Locke’s eyes widened as he saw the sleigh his jaw practically hit the ground. “Are we really flying in that?” he asked, half in awe, half in disbelief. Alba was much more frightened especially for her cat Walter.

Piper was all set for him, she had a special place for our cat Walt. He was a good gray tabby cat and ready for an adventure. Piper explained how Santa isn’t permitted to gift pets but every once in a while, he works with shelters and parents to have pets adopted Christmas day. “It’s all part of the magic and he will be perfectly safe” she reassured Alba and Locke.

I just smiled and said, “Let’s go see your Daddy.” And as the sleigh lifted off, the snow swirling around us, I realized that our lives would never be the same.