What is it like to be married to Santa Claus?

Almost 40 years ago Mike, my incredible husband, was asked to be Santa for a friends daughter.  He loved it. He loves children and our family knows there is a “three foot rule” when Dad is around.  If he sees someone under 3 feet tall, he must stop and talk to them.  Mike teaches Special Ed and his favorite class is the one with the severely handicapped children.  He LOOKS for ways to help them learn.  That is probably why he is a great Santa. 

At church

Jump ahead to just a few years ago when Mike's beard came in gray and he really began to look like Santa.  He begins growing his beard in late August, early September.  One year he was helping out after church in November and there was a little boy and his sister playing in front of the table where Mike was standing.  The little girl had spoken to Mike several times.  I brought a Santa Hat over and put it on his head and the little girl stopped, her mouth dropped open and she said “I want to be a Princess”  She no longer saw the guy that was talking to her about the book she was playing with, she saw Santa.  Another time he was just talking to one of the kids outside of church and a line formed to talk to “Santa”  He doesn’t wear a Santa Suit to church, nor does he wear a Santa hat.  In fact, Mike is usually known as the guy in the flag shirt because about 90% of the time he has on a flag shirt.  I must say, my heart melts a little each time I see a child stop and see Santa in Mike. 

Our oldest grandson, Holden, age 14, has always called Mike “Bumpa”.  Now that he is older he shortens it frequently to Bump.  We now have a 2 ½ year old grandson, Max.  His name for Mike is “Ho Ho.”  I have to tell you, shortening that is not a good idea!  Holden says, “Hey Bump.” Just think about what Max will say. He is so cute when he runs his fingers through Mike’s beard and says “Ho Ho” 

And a line forms

One of the groups Mike works with is called “YES”  It is a charity that works with special needs children that was begun by a woman who is blind herself.   The first year he was Santa for YES he was amazed at the items the “children” asked Santa to bring them.  One “child” is over 50 years old and wanted a friendship bracelet.  She had never had a friend give one to her and it was what she wanted most.  One “boy” came to see Mike three times and brought him a list with each visit.  He was higher functioning and he wrote out his list.  Still, the list contained things you would never see on your child or grandchild’s list.  He wanted new sheets, toothbrush, underwear – only necessities of life – nothing frivolous – not even a toy.  Items you and I would just buy as we need them, certainly not ask Santa for them.

Last year my sister invited Mike and I to a concert of Transiberian Orchestra.  They got their start in Tampa so their concert is doubly exciting.  We first went to dinner at Outback.  When you sit in their booth, the windows are just about shoulder level.  Mike was sitting next to the window.  Outside there were bushes under the window.  We had finished our meals but were enjoying coffee before we went to the Forum for the concert.  All of a sudden this boy climbed over the bushes,  pressed his face against the glass and yelled “SANTA!”

Bumpa/Ho Ho with
Max and Holden 2010

Recently we attended a party that included his high school students from last year.  There was another guy there playing Santa and Mike was in regular clothes.  Several of the students came over and said “Mr. Mike, there is a guy here playing you!”   These kids are 14-21 and in their minds, there is no question that Mr. Mike IS Santa.   His students all know that Santa does other things all year long and he won’t talk to them as Santa from January until October.  On October 1 the kids all begin writing letters to Santa and asking about the reindeer and elves. 

I have never dressed as Mrs. Claus.  I have a red cape my daughter bought for me, and I do have gray hair.  It wouldn’t take much.  Perhaps I should join him.  No – this is his time of the year, I am not going to spoil it for him. 

Gosh I love this time of year.  Don’t you?