By Julia Fields
Everyone loves the cheerful and enchanting charm of Christmas in Edgartown and for us, it’s an important tradition for how we end each year.
My first Christmas in Edgartown was with you just after we had first met the summer of that year. The night we met felt like a world away from winter; the Harvest Moon was shining and thanks to a chatty bartender, an espresso martini, a gin and tonic and a fresh tomato salad we had our first conversation. In the warm night air, we walked and hatched a plan to forage and scavenge the island. We spent the next few days finding unusual herbs and botanicals and biking to find caches hidden by fellow islanders. In a blink, we were parting ways, each returning back to our own life not knowing what would come next. Fall and winter quickly followed, and we promised to spend December together on the Island as we’d been dating long distance.
That first December, you found us a perfect spot in the crowd from the harbor, to watch the lighting of the lighthouse. I appreciated your warm hand in mine as we stood looking out over the frozen black sky and sea. We found a spot to enjoy perfect martinis, reminisced and shared childhood stories. We ate breakfast at our favorite café and watched the parade the next morning. We toasted to a great weekend together over beers waiting for a busy bowling alley to open up.
Every night, we walked in the chilly winter air in town and picked the most inviting lights in the window that were doing their best to lure us in. On one of those evenings, after a candlelit dinner of cracker crusted cod, you told me you wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. I remember feeling nervous about saying yes to a new beginning. Our worlds were different, but in the glowing restaurant and amid the festive chatter of the crowd, I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging.
It’s been many years now since that night and we’ve spent that time building our home together. It’s the weekend before Christmas and as I write this, I can smell the freshly brewed coffee and homemade bread you’ve got baking this morning. The dogs are at my feet, the Christmas tree is lit and we’re ready for the family to gather. I think now about the chapters we’ve written and the seasons that have shaped our life. As the snow falls outside, I cherish the winters we’ve shared here, each a reminder of the first we shared together, our hearts full of hope.
It’s time for us to get out of the house, so we bundle up and drive to Katama beach. The beach is covered in snow and the sea fog prevents us from seeing out over the ocean. We don’t mind because we’ve memorized the scene. As we walk, I fondly remember the most important winter on the Vineyard.
Your story brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for writing it.
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