Dear Christmas

‐ In part one of this "Dear Christmas" episode,

we explored all the trappings of the Christmas season‐‐

cutting down the tree,

drinking hot cocoa, putting up the lights,

decorating the house, the ugly sweater party.

It's the perfect backdrop to fall in love.

But is it love? Or is the season?

Are you really falling in love,

or are you just in love with Christmas?

Maybe when the snow melts, you'll fall out of love,

and it's over, like a seasonal allergy.

Holiday love is very complicated at Christmas.

You can't just crack it that easily.

That's why we're gonna continue this episode next week, live.

I'll be talking about the magical, elusive gift

that is very hard to wrap: true love.

So if you have a true love story

that you'd like to share for episode two

of "Dear Christmas," send it in.

I'll be livestreaming part two from a place

I truly love, my childhood home.

Until then, Dear Christmas, this is Natalie Morgan,

reminding you to enjoy the season,

and don't eat too many cookies.

‐ Merry Christmas. ‐ Oh, Penny, merry Christmas.

I just finished episode one of "Dear Christmas."

It'll drop tomorrow.

How's the party going on out there?

‐ Missing its favorite guest. ‐ Oh, I know.

But I really have to get on the road soon.

‐ I wanted to see you before you headed out.

I have a little Christmas bonus for you.

‐ Wow.

Oh, wow!

‐ I thought it might put you in a "wow" kind of mood.

‐ Is that right?

‐ Earmuffs had a great year, thanks to you.

Which means, as the owner of Earmuffs,

I had a great year too.

Natalie, you have the number one podcast in the country.

I want to keep you happy, so anything I can do

to make you even happier, let me know.

‐ Anything? ‐ Anything.

‐ Well, I do have to wrap all these Christmas presents.

‐ Ah, ooh, okay. Ooh.

Let me help; I got the door. ‐ Okay.

‐ Who's this for?

‐ Oh, it's for my dad. I had it special ordered.

‐ Does your dad love Lake Tahoe Books?

‐ Um, he better. He owns it.

Yeah, with my mom. They just bought it.

Yeah.

‐ Aww, who's this for?

‐ Oh, my sister. ‐ Your sister's tiny.

‐ Yeah. Well, she's having a baby.

Actually, it's due on Christmas Eve.

‐ Oh.

Oh, I hate to think of who you're giving this to.

‐ Well, that is for me. ‐ It's hideous.

‐ Well, my parents have

an ugly sweater party every year,

and there's a contest

for who wears the ugliest sweater.

‐ I think you're gonna definitely win this year.

‐ Aw, thanks. I'm trying.

Ah, I can't wait to go home for Christmas.

My parents go all out with the decorations,

and the house is so lit up

that you can probably see it from space.

‐ Well, I will look for it when I go out to space.

Oh, fancy.

Who'd you buy this for? A special someone?

‐ No, I didn't buy it. It's from one of our sponsors.

And it's for my brother‐in‐law.

‐ Oh, I thought maybe you had someone tucked away

in Lake Tahoe. A hometown honey?

‐ Uh, that's a big, fat no. ‐ Really?

I've never seen you date anyone around here,

so I guess I figured you had someone there.

You've been in love before, right?

‐ Yeah, I've been in love a bunch of times.

I just‐‐you know, never found my "true love."

‐ So you don't believe in true love?

‐ No, I do.

You know, for other people, just not really for me.

Are you gonna help me wrap or what?

‐ Ted and I broke up.

‐ Oh, I'm so sorry.

‐ He was a quintessential boyfriend till he wasn't.

‐ You know, I keep telling you you should give

Hank in HR a chance.

You know, nothing wrong with a workplace romance,

as long as the paperwork's signed.

‐ I thought I was in love.

‐ And you probably were.

You know, but maybe he just wasn't your true love.

‐ Well, what's the difference between love and true love?

Aren't they all the same?

‐ Of course not. Don't you listen to my podcast?

‐ No, I have million other people do that for me.

‐

Well, you know, true love is

when two people find each other.

And those two worlds come together as one,

and all those people want is to be together,

you know, no matter how tough things get,

you just‐‐you can't imagine your life without them.

‐ I should really start listening to your podcast.

‐ Yeah, you should. ‐

Hey, maybe this Christmas

it's your turn to find true love.

‐ Oh yeah, I can already feel my heart beating.

‐ I'm so excited to see you, sis.

Where are you now?

‐ Just leaving Chicago and on to the I‐80.

‐ Where are you now? ‐ Iowa?

No, Nebraska? ‐ All right, just let me know

when you're getting into the mountains.

‐ Where are you now? ‐ Getting close.

‐ Call me when you get into town.

‐ Uh‐oh.

‐ What's that sound? ‐ I think it's my tire.

I'm gonna have to pull over and check it out.

‐ Okay, just be careful and keep me posted.

‐ So roadside assistance is on its way,

but it could take a while.

‐ You're so close.

Just call me‐‐ ‐ Emma?

Hello? Ugh, battery!

‐ You're not the only ones hanging around.

Funny meeting you here. Got any plans for Christmas?

No? Me neither.

Guess we're just a bunch of lonely hearts.

‐ Ho‐ho‐ho.

‐ Ho‐ho‐hello.

‐ So, what's the problem?

‐ Well, it's really cold out,

I've been traveling for 12 hours,

I'm late to my parents' house, and, uh, oh yeah, I got a flat.

‐ Well, I can take care of the flat for you.

There's some hot cocoa in my truck.

Why don't you call your parents?

‐ Ah, I would, but my phone is dead.

‐ That's all right; there's a charging cable in there.

I just need the spare.

‐ The spare what?

‐ Tire?

It's usually in the trunk.

‐ ‐

‐ "To Mr. Christmas, thanks for the jump."

‐ ‐ Who is this guy?

‐ Ooh, marshmallows.

‐ Mmm.

Ooh, that is some good hot cocoa.

‐ Aww.

‐ Hey, where are you? ‐ Hey, sis.

I got in a little car trouble, but, um,

things are looking good.

Got some help from a gorgeous tow truck driver.

‐ Ah, he's got your motor roaring?

‐ I think he's finishing up. I'm less than 30 minutes away.

See you soon. Love you.

‐ You too. Drive safely.

She just had some car trouble.

‐ Did you say car trouble? Did she get in an accident?

‐ Natalie is fine.

Randy, honey, you worry too much!

‐ He should worry. Natalie can't drive, period.

Remember that time she ran over your Santa?

‐ It'll be okay.

‐ How do the cookies look?

‐ They're beautiful.

Ah, I think it's your best batch ever.

‐ They're delicious too.

‐ Emma, honey, they're for the party.

‐ I know, just stocking up.

‐ Come on, she's eating for two.

‐ Is it good?

‐ Oops.

‐

‐ Mmm.

This is the best hot cocoa I've ever had.

‐ It's the cinnamon.

Most people don't put in enough cinnamon.

‐ No, it's something else.

Mm.

Hot pepper flake.

‐ Hey, you got it.