A belated "RABBIT" to you all. Please pretend you're reading this on the actual 1st. I had every intention of posting then, but am quickly realizing that my intentions don't really make anything happen. But that's a post for another time. I didn't want this to pass without giving recognition to one of my favorite days.
Now, you must be saying to yourself "Self, why is October 1 different than any other day". I'm glad you asked. Not only is it Fall-ish and beautiful and often the start to the end of the year, but in my world it is also the Official Unofficial First Day of Christmas Music. In fact, I'm listening to a Christmas mix now to get in the spirit.
This tradition actually started when I was in high school. The summer after my freshman year, Zach went off to college. Sarah and I spent tons of time together as we headed into fall and I noticed that she was listening to her Amy Grant Christmas CD (you know the one) on repeat. When asked why, she said it made her feel like Christmas was closer which meant Zach would come back home from college. She didn't live to see Christmas that year, but I've never forgotten her love for the music and excitement for the season. While I can't bring myself to listen starting in August, somewhere along the way decided that October 1 is an acceptable start date.
Fast forward a couple of years and I'm living in West Palm Beach. Liz, Shelby and I wake up and head off to school on one bright and sunny October 1st. To properly honor our homemade holiday, we rolled the windows down and BLASTED Christmas music on our way to school. Much to our chagrin, the motorcycle cop 1 mile down North Flagler didn't carry the same passion for October 1 that we did, which resulted in a speeding ticket with my name on it. For going 45. Really, sir? If I'm going slow enough for you to walk out in front of my car to pull me over, clearly you don't really think I am a threat. According to my memory, the encounter ended with one of us mumbling "and a Merry Christmas to you, Sir" as we got back on the road.
Now a few more years down the road I can't get to October 1 without smiling to myself and humming a Christmas tune or two. To be honest, I can't go all Christmas non-stop from October 1 to the end of the year (I only have so many renditions of O Holy Night) without going crazy, but I'll always mark October 1 as the starting point.
Liz and I exchanged texts this year deciding that this is one of our favorite PBA memories....even if it did result in my parents getting postcards about defensive driving classes available in South Florida.
And in case you weren't able to mark October 1 properly this year, here's one of our favorites for you:
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