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A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

December 11, 2020

Advent Reflections: Love

Twenty-six years ago today, Tim Taylor proposed at the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.

I remember it was a very cold night, but Tim insisted on driving to the White House to see the tree. I bundled up in a warm but desperately unglamorous sweater. A choir stoically performed the “Hallelujah Chorus” to a crowd of three—me, Tim, and a homeless gentleman. Afterward, as we walked along the Ellipse, admiring the trees, Tim took me completely by surprise by dropping down on one knee and asking, “Will you be my wife?”

This happened before cell phones and social media, so we don’t have a record of the event. But one year, Grandma Charlotte, my mom, and aunts and I went on the Holiday Homes Tour in Hudson, Minnesota, and saw this beautiful painting of the National Christmas Tree by G. Harvey. My mom tracked one down and gave the framed print to us for Christmas. We keep it up year-round as a reminder of that magical night.

In October, Tim and I celebrated twenty-five years of marriage and his love and support has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. At Christmas, especially, he’s humored me, gamely helping when I go a bit (just a bit!) over the top with cookie exchanges, outings, and decorating. He’s created traditions of his own, like making his mocha-almond biscotti and reading Christmas stories aloud to us every night during Advent. He understands that what it’s really about is love.

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Filed Under: Life Shannon 4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Diane ODonnell says

    December 11, 2020 at 2:49 pm

    So beautiful Shannon. What a life you have created with Tim. What a model for your children and those around you. Happy proposal anniversary!

    Reply
  2. Tim Taylor says

    December 11, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    Merry Christmas, Shannon! You’re my water. You’re my wine. You’re my whisky, from time to time. Love…and cookies.

    Reply
  3. Betty McAllister says

    December 15, 2020 at 2:15 pm

    Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Shannon says

      December 19, 2020 at 1:37 pm

      Thank you, Betty!

      Reply

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Hello! My name is Shannon Taylor. I'm a long-time writer and editor from Minnesota surprised to find myself on an island in the Pacific Northwest. I'm sharing this adventure with my husband, four kids, and two dogs. I “published” my first newsletter when I was nine, and I’ve loved sharing ideas, stories, and information ever since. I hope you find something here to inspire you and help you create a comfortable, cozy life.
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So impressed by this guy taking up the saxophone A So impressed by this guy taking up the saxophone AT OUR AGE. He’s already rocking a couple tunes. Expect a duet to be posted any minute. ❤️
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