For at least ten years, Santa was a constant conversation in our house. From toys that we started adding to our list in June to you guys making sure we behaved by reminding us that Santa was always watching, our childhood was filled with the fondest memories of a jolly man that delivered presents and could make reindeer fly.

Unfortunately we grew up and faced the hard truth that "Santa" was merely an idea. But for a six year old who believes in just about anything, Santa is so much more than that. Thank you, mom and dad, for keeping the idea of Santa alive for my sister and me. You taught us invaluable lessons we will treasure forever.

Thank you for giving us the biggest imagination paired with the best childhood.

Allowing us to imagine all the possibilities that allowed Santa to be “Santa”—like how he got into our house that didn’t have a chimney, how he made the trip worldwide in one night, and how he could carry toys for every child in just a sack forced us to use our imaginations and come up with countless scenarios that seemed plausible. Then we'd debate the scenarios with each other until you told us we were both right and gave us an answer that combined both our ideas. This thinking process is what allowed us to grow into young adults that constantly imagine different goals, successes, and plans for our futures. And still to this day you tell us we’re right, except now you’re encouraging post-graduation goals instead of Santa-thinking.

Thank you for being the best parents for buying into “Santa.”

Whether it was buying fake snow and making footprints around the house that we thought were Santa’s or eating half of the cookies at midnight that we left for Santa, you guys went above and beyond to make sure that he was present in our lives in every way during the holiday season. We couldn’t have asked for more supportive parents to be so into the idea of a man in a red suit. We now realize the ridiculous effort it must have taken to become so involved as Santa, and we are forever grateful because those are Christmas mornings we will never take for granted.

Thank you for teaching us to be generous when giving gifts.

You were always so generous as Santa (and then as mom and dad, too) that we felt compelled to be just as generous to others when gifting. Now that we understand the true meaning of Christmas. We still hold a special place in our heart for extending gratitude towards others during the holiday season and always remember that it’s better to give than it is to receive.

Thank you for creating magic.

The “magic” of Christmas that I still feel at 19 is only there because so many years ago, you connected Christmas lights, trees, and candy canes to Santa, a figure that was so significant to my sister and me. Because we believed in Santa and his magic, Christmas evolved to a season of magic for us. There is no season like the Christmas season, and that feeling was only created because of you. As we grew up and learned of the true meaning of Christmas, the magic that you created is all the more important.

All the stories you told us about how Santa made his toys, worked with elves, and was able to watch children all year long still make it hard to believe he doesn’t exist. You guys did everything to make our Christmas’ so special because of Santa. Now, though the idea of Santa is gone and presents don’t mean nearly as much, Christmas is still so special because we believe in the magic, and we have the happiest memories from each holiday season that remind us of why it all matters. I’m still convinced you guys worked on the North Pole. Thank you for giving us something so magical to look forward to and for showing us the beauty in such a giving season.