Dear Santa,

My name is Steve Funaro, I am a young man that lives in Kentucky. I am sure you know who I am, I have been on your lists for quite some time now. It has been a while since I have written but I thought I could make up for that this year.

When I was about 12 years old, I found out that there was “no such thing” as Santa Claus. So, due to your non-existence I have held off writing until now. You see, I have come to an understanding: You do exist.

I know, I know – my 7-year-old nephew could have told me the same thing, but as I have gotten older, I have become more and more skeptical. Although I don’t think you look the way most people imagine, I believe in you again.

Allow me to explain my change of heart. A week or so ago, while Christmas shopping I came across a little boy who had just gotten his picture taken with you. His older brother was telling him that you did not exist but the younger child was having none of it. He told his brother, “Just because you don’t think he exists doesn’t mean it’s true.”

I didn’t think much of that until I went out later to the grocery store. Alyssa, my 8-month-old daughter, was just getting over being sick. We came across an elderly man who began talking to our baby about Christmas and asking her if she was excited. She broke into laughter. I smiled and after a moment of quiet reflection, I came to the conclusion that you do exist. You may not wear a big red coat, have a big fat belly or a long white beard, but the spirit of everything you stand for lives in everyone.

Since that night, I have felt myself being a bit more jolly. When my cheeks get rosy, I look in the mirror and I imagine I can see Santa Claus smiling back at me. I know you see all of this and perhaps it brings a smile to your face as well. So the next time someone tells me you don’t exist, I will tell them to go look in the mirror. Perhaps they will see the same thing I do.

Merry Christmas Santa. Hopefully when you check your list you will give me a check in the nice column this year – I don’t need another lump of coal.