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The story of my favorite Christmas gift

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

Some of you know "the story" of my bumping into my Donald in a yahoo chat room. But for those who don't the short version is I was meeting up with my web developer in the fall of 1998 and we met in  random chat rooms because he was in California and I was in Georgia. We chatted on the phone a lot, but long distance was expensive in those days.  Well I was in a preplanned chat room waiting for Jack and randomly other people would pop in and out. On this day I was having a discussion about live recorded led zeppelin songs that turned to an argument of  yes they did, no they didn't.  And my Donald came to my defense in said "argument".  And a relationship was born.  This day was September 4, 1998.  Irony would have it, that's the day Google was founded.  

Donald was in Germany on an army base at work. We exchanged email addresses that day and a friendship bloomed.  We emailed a few times a week for a little more than two years.  Most of our communications over that two  years was via email.  But on Christmas I got a card and letter.  Occasionally as he would travel to other parts of Europe I would get a post card too.

We really didn't have a lot in common, but nothing was off limits in our discussions.  I should probably tell you that exactly 30 days into our communications he said I love you.  Okay he typed it, not said it.  But still.  It took me a lot longer to go there.

In October of 2000 he was about to exit the Army and all flights returning to the states routed through Atlanta.  And pre 9-11 you would just go anywhere in the airport so I drove to ATL and met him at his gate and we had lunch at the airport before he traveled on to California to his mom's.  That Christmas came the sweetest letter I'd ever read.  

In January of 2001 he moved to Georgia (actually into my parents house for a couple of months) then found an apartment, job, and bought a car. We started to date and got both engaged and married in 2002.  That letter was the beginning of a tradition for Christmas morning for me. Every single year my husband has written me a love letter for Christmas.  We've had fantastic years and we've had hard years.   His letters always reflect our year, our adventures and his love for me and our family.  It's my favorite gift each year.  I treasure that gift above any other on Christmas.

Someday I plan to share them with my grandsons. I want them to know my feelings about each of Papa's letters and how much they meant to me so that maybe someday they will gift their wives the best gift ever too.  My family has always been filled with love and my Donald just made that love grow more.  He's the best husband, daddy and papa I could have ever imagined.  

This year was no different, Christmas morning brought a beautiful letter from my Donald.  It was a reflection of the year and suggestions for our next adventure. And while I got some lovely gifts for Christmas, as always the most precious is that my husband sits down with pen and paper and records his thoughts and love for me each year on Christmas eve and I wake up and get to read it.  It doesn't cost a dime, but to me it's a priceless treasure.  And I do hope that at some distant point in the future my descendants will read them and know what a great love story Grammy and Papa had.

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Tammy@Lake-Sinclair.com

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Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner

 

Broker License # 169695  Lane Realty License # H-11420

Real Estate Instructor License # 355089

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Show All Comments Sort:
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Tammy,
Wow... I can't imagine a better gift than that. If there was an actual contest for this Challenge, you (and Donald) would probably win! Thank you for sharing the most priceless gift of all, the expression of love.

Dec 28, 2024 03:03 PM
Tammy Lankford,

He really is the best.  He has done so much for my family because he never says no when I ask something of him.  I got really lucky.

Dec 29, 2024 11:26 AM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

What a beautiful and continuing love story! It is so perfect for the December challenge. Thank you, Tammy Lankford, for sharing your Donald's greatest gift!

Dec 28, 2024 04:39 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Tammy- I love your story of how you and  Your Donald met and your Christmas letter.  I never tire of your stories of you and Your Donald. 

Dec 28, 2024 05:05 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Dec 28, 2024 06:46 PM
Tammy Lankford,

Thanks Kathy!

Dec 29, 2024 11:09 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Oh, I love, love, love this! What a wonderful gift to get each year. A gift that lives on and on. Beautiful.

Dec 29, 2024 04:52 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Tammy. What a terrific story that is still a journey in progress with miles to go. Enjoy your day.

Dec 29, 2024 04:59 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Tammy... so many "best" Christmas gifts in those annual letters. It's a beautiful love story. I was also reminded of the book of Ronald Reagan's love letters to Nancy when I read your post.

Dec 29, 2024 05:27 AM
Tammy Lankford,

That is a favorite book of mine and I have gifted it to several friends over the years.  And I called one of my best friends Nancy Pants after reading it.

Dec 29, 2024 11:10 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Tammy - the word serendipitous certainly comes to mind while reading your post but it combines with many other factors.  Thank you for sharing this story.  

Dec 29, 2024 05:53 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

It's always a wonderful story, no matter how many times I hear it, haha.  It doesn't matter where we meet those we love, it's that we find them!

Dec 29, 2024 06:00 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Tammy,

I loved reading your post! Your Donald is a keeper and such a treasure!! I've not heard the story of how you met but I love it. I know why these letters mean so much to you. My Geno wrote such beautiful letters to me...I'm keeping them for the same reason...for when I'm gone the kids and grandkids will love reading.

Dec 29, 2024 06:11 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Sorry I missed your posting and glad Kathy Streib featured it. What a wonderful story and even better Christmas gift that can be treasured for years to come.

Dec 29, 2024 07:23 AM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912
Trans State Commercial Realty Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

Tammy Lankford, Don Baker your love story outweighs Taylor Swift's love story any day!  You share a unique communication skill to keep the fire burning year in and year out.  Thanks for sharing such a personal part of your life.  Congratulations to both of you for finding your soulmate status😎

Dec 29, 2024 07:39 AM
Tammy Lankford,

Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 that made me laugh out loud.  While I haven't always picked correctly, I certainly did when I chose to love Donald.

Dec 29, 2024 11:11 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Tammy,
Here is a poem I created with ChatGPT from the content of your post. I hope you like it.

A Love Story in Letters

In the fall of '98, a spark was lit,
In a chat room where strangers would flit.
A random debate, Led Zeppelin’s songs,
And there my Donald came along.

From Georgia to Germany, worlds apart,
Emails exchanged, the start of a heart.
A postcard here, a letter there,
A friendship blossomed, rare and fair.

Thirty days in, he typed "I love you,"
A bold confession, tender and true.
Though it took me longer to feel the same,
The seed of forever had found its flame.

In 2000, the gate at ATL,
We met in person, the moment did tell.
Lunch and laughter, a spark that grew,
A love story began, fresh and new.

By 2001, he moved to my state,
Love found its rhythm, a twist of fate.
An engagement, a wedding, vows exchanged,
A life together beautifully arranged.

Each Christmas morn, a letter appears,
Penned by my Donald, reflecting our years.
Through joy and sorrow, adventure and strain,
His words are the balm that ease any pain.

A priceless treasure, these letters of love,
Crafted with care, as if from above.
Not gold or jewels could ever compare,
To the gift of his thoughts, tender and rare.

Someday, these letters, in grandsons' hands,
Will tell of love, life's sweetest plans.
Of Grammy and Papa, a bond so true,
A love that grew stronger, as time flew.

So here's to the man who holds my heart,
Who’s made our life a beautiful art.
My Donald, my love, my life, my friend,
A story of letters that will never end.

Dec 29, 2024 06:28 PM
Eileen Burns 954.483.3912

Carol Williams this is beautiful.

Dec 30, 2024 05:52 AM
Carol Williams

Thank you, Eileen Burns 954.483.3912 
I had the bright idea this morning to add a poem to each letter. I'm kind of excited about that. I need to go back and do one for all those I have previously written.

Dec 30, 2024 07:06 AM
Tammy Lankford,

That is amazing Carol.  I started reading it yesterday when I was watching the boys.... then water was leaking under the sink and I never got back to AR.  I'm going to have to dig out some of my old poetry now.

Dec 31, 2024 08:16 AM
Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

The beauty of the written word and love are a combination that is hard to beat when comparing with other gifts. May God's blessings be with you Tammy. Jeff

Dec 30, 2024 02:46 PM
Michael J. Perry
Fathom Realty - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Seriously you should send this in to Hallmark ! They are desperate for some new plots and your story would be a pleasant addition .

Dec 31, 2024 07:31 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Tammy:

What a wonderful story of love and devotion, and creating a special memory to cherish each year at Christmas. You are blessed to have each other!

Jeff

Dec 31, 2024 05:06 PM