The sweet smell of my cookies was tempting my senses. The cookies and a glass of warm milk was calling my name. So, I put my slippers and robe on and headed downstairs to the kitchen to satisfy my late-night craving. As I walked down the hall to the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of something in my living room. Could it be? I had to know. I peeked around the corner from the kitchen into the living room and there he was. Dressed in red and eating one of my cookies. “Wonderful tasting cookie!” he said. “The sweet and delicious smell continues to warm my heart each year as it has done since you were a small child.” “Is it really you, Santa?” I asked. With a soft Ho, Ho, Ho, and a warm smile he said, “Yes, it is. Every year you are on my nice list. Your heart is patient, kind, and loving just like your parents were. I have been looking forward to seeing you this year.” “Why?” I asked. “The North Pole is always bustling. There is always something to do. My life is full of joy, but there is something missing. That something is you. Would you be my Mrs. Santa Claus?” It was a magical snow! I realized I was not dreaming and had finally met the man I had loved all my life. With my heart pounding, I joyfully accepted his marriage proposal. My Mr. Santa Claus told me that he would be back with the sleigh to get me before dawn. He then finished his cookies and milk, flew up the chimney, and off into the night.

As the magical snow continued to fall, I found myself dancing around my house squealing with joy! I never felt any fear about what had just happened or becoming Mrs. Santa Claus. My heart was full of excitement and joy for the life I would be spending forever. I was the luckiest woman in the world!

Just before dawn, Santa picked me up in his sleigh as promised. Just as quickly as he arrived the two of us were off to the North Pole. As we arrived at the North Pole, I could see the elves awaiting our arrival on the snow-covered ground below. The reindeer made one large circle in the sky before landing. The North Pole, Santa’s house, the elves, looked just like everything I saw in my dream, but now I knew what Mrs. Claus looked like. She looked just like me!

There were so many elves! Their singing and cheering echoed through the air as the sleigh slowly descended. As the sleigh landed, they encircled us excited to hear about Santa’s travels and about me. In his loving voice, he asked the elves to be patient as there was a more important matter to tend to. Santa and I saying, “I do” to each other and becoming husband and wife. So there, under the northern lights with the magical snow falling, Santa and I said our vows of love to each other as hundreds of elves and the reindeer stood witness. We then took a ride in the sleigh under a canopy of stars. I would like to tell you it was the happiest day of my life, but every day as Mrs. Claus is the happiest day of my life.

The next day Santa took me on the complete tour of all there was to see at the North Pole. I met each elf and each reindeer. One elf asked Santa if they should call me Mrs. Claus. Santa looked at me then back at the elf and said, “I would like you to call her Lollie which was the name of her mother who was patient, kind, and loving as she.” My eyes welled with tears as I repeated my new name, Mrs. Lollie Claus.

Now every day at the North Pole is a busy one. There is always something to do. Of course, my main responsibility is taking care of Santa. I help him go through every letter and put them in alphabetical order by first name. I double and triple check Santa’s naughty and nice list to make sure there are no mistakes.

While I love taking care of Santa and helping him get ready for Christmas, I still love to bake. Baking with the elves is so much fun! You know all those cookies I used to bake with my mother? Well, the elves and I have been baking them for years! Here is a little history about the cookies the elves and I have been baking long before families were leaving them out for Santa on Christmas eve. Gingerbread cookies are one of the oldest cookies. They originated in ancient Egypt and became popular starting in 1610. In the 7th century it was found the sugar cookie was wonderful for decorating. A tradition we still carry on at the North Pole. Do you have this tradition? The buttery cinnamon flavored cookie known as the snickerdoodle became a favorite around the world in 1889. The elves and I call the snickerdoodle, Saint Nickerdoodle, after Santa. He laughs when we call them that. In the 1900’s several other of our cookies became well known. You know them as chocolate chip, thumbprint, and snowballs. If you ask Santa what his favorite cookie is he will tell you he likes, “Home baked, and store bought.” He makes the elves and I giggle all the time with his little anecdotes and silly jokes. The elves and I love how our baking helps keep Santa round and jolly.