We went back into the church, where Brittney and Blake would thank all the volunteers and tell the story about how Hatcher’s stocking came about. I knew the story from Brittney, but I had never met Blake, so I got a different perspective from him up there in front of everyone, describing the heartache and despair of holding their firstborn, who was stillborn in November of 2012. Christmas was around the corner, and Hatcher’s stocking was hanging up in preparation for his arrival. But that didn’t happen. How could they ever recover?

They turned this tragedy into a mission to not only help others but try to heal themselves. We know serving others helps take our own pain away, even if just for a while. Through the years, they did a variety of service. But this year, December 2023, was different; it was really special. This year was the start of the annual stocking stuffing. They had put so much time and, thought and care into the beautiful stockings, requested sensory-specific toys, quality toys, and had a volunteer group all eager to assist! The bins were lined up so orderly, and each child and adult volunteer would fill them in a specific order and bring them down to get tagged and put into transport bins. That was my job, tagging the stockings.

Real Beard Santa would sit there amidst all the commotion, talking to adults but mostly the children. They always had many questions for him, like did you receive my letter, Real Beard Santa? Tell me about the elves! And the reindeer! Well, that was the perfect in for Real Beard Santa. You see, this Real Beard Santa carries a beautifully printed photograph of a reindeer. Dasher was who Real Beard Santa chose. He made sure he had several copies because there was always a very special child that he will give a picture to. Of course, ALL the children are special, but there is always one or two that tug at his heart. Maybe they ask for something for a sick family member, or maybe they are timid at first and then open up to him, and Real Beard Santa just feels that instant connection. Whatever it is, it happens every time, sometimes once or twice, or sometimes with many of the children! So he has to be prepared with enough photos.

There were so many volunteers it all went smoothly and there was even hot cocoa and sandwiches for all. But for Real Beard Santa and I, it was picture time. This is where we have a chance to help a family make memories for years! It’s such an honor, and we stayed laser-focused to accomplish it for them all.

One of the families was a mother with her child, probably around age 2 or 3. He was very unsure of Real Beard Santa, so she explained she would sit next to him and hold him. This seemed to work. After I took the picture of them, she reminded her son he should tell Real Beard Santa what he wanted for Christmas under the tree. He wanted to tell him SO bad, but you could still sense his hesitation. The mom whispered in his ear. “Tell Real Beard Santa about the bike you want”. That was it; he knew he HAD to let Real Beard Santa know. He wanted this bike too much! And so he did. Real Beard Santa engaged with him, asking about the color he wanted, and after they chatted a bit, he was all in! In fact, Real Beard Santa became his new best friend. He kept running over to him all by himself while other families were lined up for their pictures. It didn’t matter to him that others were around Real Beard Santa, HE knew Real Beard Santa personally, and now no one would stand in his way! That’s the connection Real Beard Santa can only hope for. And when he showed him his picture of Dasher, I knew without a doubt that this little guy was the recipient of his own Dasher photo. It’s never difficult for Real Beard Santa to make that call; it all happens seamlessly.

As this little boy was running around now all confident again, we continued with snapping family photos. There wasn’t one crying baby in this group tonight. A man came up to me and asked how long Real Beard Santa and I would be there. Well, however long we need to be, I told him. His family was en route to the church and was hoping to get a family photo. I assured him we would not leave until they arrived and were photographed. We thought he and his family were the only ones left to see. But just then, a young woman, maybe in her thirties, came up to see Real Beard Santa. She had the most beautiful smile, and her hair was long and curly, and I complimented it. She had a strong accent and gingerly asked if it was okay if she had a picture with Real Beard Santa. We could tell she felt embarrassed to ask. Of course, I said! As I continually explain to so many adults, Real Beard Santa takes as many pictures with adults by themselves as he does with families and with children. She seemed so surprised, but then Real Beard Santa patted his knee, and she giggled and said I can sit on Real Beard Santa’s lap??!! Of course, he said you’re never too old for that. She was like a giggly teenager and explained to Real Beard Santa he was the only second Real Beard Santa in her life she had ever interacted with. She was in absolute heaven, so happy and so carefree for that moment in time.

Just then, the man’s family, who had been en route, had arrived. A young mother with her newborn and a toddler. The other woman jumped off Real Beard Santa’s lap as if she knew her time was over; she had resorted to her childhood long enough. We thanked her, but it was she who was truly the most thankful one. She felt we had given her a very special personal gift. It was such a simple gift from us but priceless for her. There was a story there behind her beautiful smile; I knew it, and it was so cool to be a part of witnessing it.

We took pictures of the family. The baby was perfectly behaved until the pictures were over, and then he decided to spit up. Perfect timing! Then Real Beard Santa and I went up to the front of the church, where all the Christmas trees were lit, and did a video of Blake, Brittney, and their children. Real Beard Santa wants to start doing videos of these intimate connections we are so grateful to experience. What better family to have on his first video than Blake, Brittney, and their family. It was beautiful, not scripted, just from the heart. We hugged goodbye, and both felt we had known them for years.

We left saying goodbye and thanking all the volunteers, young and old. We may never see any of them again. But boy, did they make an imprint on our hearts, if only for one night. We got into Real Beard Santa’s red truck. It was dark, and we had an hour to drive back home. As I looked out the window, the lights in the side mirror caught my eye. They blinked red and yellow, then blue and green, then all the colors at once blinking on and off. This was how Real Beard Santa’s truck was decorated. Real Beard Santa has to drive a special vehicle to spread Christmas magic. I looked out the front window, where you could see the reindeer antlers attached to the front grill. Real Beard Santa had made it himself with an old set of palm fronds. He had stained them several times, varnished them to protect against the elements while driving, and attached a big 5” red nose in the middle. We always got thumbs up from people walking by or driving by. It was an unusual decoration, but then again, he’s Real Beard Santa, after all! Real Beard Santa needs to drive the coolest decorated red truck! We were both tired and hungry. We didn’t talk a whole lot on the way home. I know I was processing the events of the evening, as I’m sure Real Beard Santa was as well. It was another Real Beard Santa gig completed. But not just any gig. Actually, there hasn’t been any gig that is just a mediocre one. Each one of the 25 we have committed to are so rewarding and so unique. This was no different. But each time I think our experiences and connections made are amazing and surely cannot be topped, another one comes around, and new amazing memories and experiences are made. Tomorrow night will be another Real Beard Santa gig. I relaxed in the blinking of the lights as I felt assurance it would be so special as well.