- 1 day ago
A café owner goes back to her hometown for the annual Christmas potluck tradition. She runs into her blind date from 20 years ago, now a military engineer, sparking unexpected holiday romance.
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00About three inches up go. Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Like back back down. Like just a smidge
00:00:25Little bit more. Back up. Okay, perfect. Looks good. You do know we're right back where we started from, right? We are? No, we're not. Yes, we are. Okay, but it's fine. It looks great. Good job. I'm going to need a lot more cocoa to get through that box.
00:00:45Thanks.
00:01:15And all of the orders. And all your lists. All of them. You are good. I do have a lot of lists, don't I?
00:01:28Look, I can at least... Can't I just at least help you with the bows? You're not open for another 30 minutes.
00:01:33I know you don't like leaving, but you haven't been home since last Christmas. So please, as the manager of Best Cafe and your best friend, go home.
00:01:41Okay, but you'll call me. I will call if anything comes up. Please let the super talented people you hired do their jobs. Namely me.
00:01:54Okay. Okay, okay. Hey. Merry Christmas. And thank you for taking over.
00:02:02Of course. And tell Hannah and Frank I say Merry Christmas.
00:02:05Okay.
00:02:20Well, does Big Brother approve?
00:02:23And before you say anything, Natalie told me where to put everything on the tree.
00:02:28Which is why it is perfectly decorated.
00:02:31Uh, speaking of, where is your very talented wife?
00:02:36At the Veterans Center.
00:02:37She volunteers there most days.
00:02:40I don't even know what they'd do without her.
00:02:42That's incredible.
00:02:42I cannot believe you and Natalie have lived here for five years already.
00:02:47Well, time flies when you're a big-time civil engineer with the military.
00:02:50Says the first sergeant.
00:02:52My dad would be really proud of you.
00:02:55Pretty sure he'd be proud of you, too.
00:02:59Not as proud as he would be of me, of course.
00:03:01Well, that might be, but at least I'm still the funnier one.
00:03:06Neither one of you are funny.
00:03:08Natalie.
00:03:09Oh, it is so good to see you.
00:03:11You, too. This is quite the surprise.
00:03:14Yeah, a little last-minute scheduling change.
00:03:16Well, hopefully you'll be here through Christmas.
00:03:18That's the plan, but I promise I will not intrude on any plans you two have.
00:03:22Oh.
00:03:22Well, the kids are with my parents for a few days while I plan for the Yuletide potluck,
00:03:26so you're more than welcome to stay here till they get back.
00:03:29I already tried.
00:03:30Thank you, but I'm all good.
00:03:31I'm staying down at the Garland Inn.
00:03:33I knew you'd have a full house over Christmas, so...
00:03:36Well, please come visit as much as you want while you're here.
00:03:39Deal.
00:03:39And wait till you see the events Snorridge puts on for the military families.
00:03:43Oh, I can't wait. I can't wait.
00:03:46Ah, it is really good to see you two.
00:03:56Oh, don't forget about the potluck.
00:03:58Oh, honey! You made it!
00:04:04Oh!
00:04:05We weren't expecting you until dinner.
00:04:07Oh, let me look at you. It's such... Oh, so good to see you.
00:04:11Have you eaten?
00:04:11Mom, mom, no.
00:04:13Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold on.
00:04:14Where's all the garland?
00:04:16We're called Garland Inn.
00:04:17Oh, well, it's on our to-do list.
00:04:19Your father and I haven't really had the time to get to it yet, but...
00:04:23Hannah, I think the gingerbread cookies are done.
00:04:27Oh, Beth, you're here!
00:04:29Oh, so good to see you.
00:04:31Good to see you. What are you wearing?
00:04:33What is... What's going on? Are you guys baking?
00:04:36Come on.
00:04:37Let's get you some warm cookies and milk cookies.
00:04:40I'll take care of this. You two go save the cookies.
00:04:45Welcome to the Garland Inn.
00:04:46I'm Frank Green, owner and currently Christmas cookie captain.
00:04:50Well, I have never met a Christmas cookie captain that I didn't like.
00:04:53Jack Evans. Nice to meet you.
00:04:56Ah, there you are.
00:04:58Right this way and I'll show you your room.
00:05:00Great.
00:05:01You've really chosen a spectacular time to come.
00:05:03First door. Top of the stairs.
00:05:10What?
00:05:11Make yourself at home. I'll be right back.
00:05:13What? I can't hear...
00:05:15Go, go, go, go.
00:05:35Go, go, go.
00:05:39I don't know.
00:06:09That cookie for me?
00:06:11What? No.
00:06:13No. Hi. Can I help you?
00:06:16I'm all good.
00:06:18Can I help you?
00:06:22Well, you're kind of in my room.
00:06:23I'm in your room?
00:06:24Yeah.
00:06:25You sure about that?
00:06:28Yeah.
00:06:29Yeah, I am. My parents own this place.
00:06:32That stocking right there, it has a bee on it.
00:06:36That's me.
00:06:37I'm Beth.
00:06:38I mean, shouldn't it have a J on it?
00:06:41Why would it have a J?
00:06:43My name's Jack.
00:06:44But this isn't your room.
00:06:46It's yet to be determined.
00:06:49Jack.
00:06:51Yep. Jack with a J.
00:06:53Jack with a J.
00:06:57Is your last name Evans?
00:07:00How do you know my last name?
00:07:04Because, um...
00:07:05Because we went on a blind date in college.
00:07:13Beth.
00:07:15Beth Little Miss Liss Green.
00:07:18Little Miss Liss? What does that mean?
00:07:20I seem to recall you sending me a list of appropriate restaurants before our first date.
00:07:24I'd like to do a little research before I go out.
00:07:27And by the way, you're welcome.
00:07:28I seem to remember that you talked about concrete the whole time.
00:07:32Yeah, well, concrete is the foundation of our existence.
00:07:35It's the what?
00:07:36The foundation of our existence.
00:07:37Everything in the city is made for...
00:07:38I know, I heard you.
00:07:38It just doesn't make a lot of sense.
00:07:40Sorry about the confusion.
00:07:43Hi, Dad.
00:07:43Hi.
00:07:44Let me show you to your room.
00:07:45You're just next door, the other side of the stairs.
00:07:48With the alarm going off, I guess you didn't hear me.
00:07:51Hmm.
00:07:55Hmm.
00:07:57Ah.
00:08:00All the ends in the world.
00:08:02Who would have thought?
00:08:04Hmm.
00:08:04Hmm.
00:08:04Hmm.
00:08:05Hmm.
00:08:05Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:06Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:07Hmm.
00:08:08Hmm.
00:08:08Hmm.
00:08:08Hmm.
00:08:09Hmm.
00:08:09Hmm.
00:08:09Hmm.
00:08:10Hey, guys.
00:08:17Uh, would it be possible to move a guest?
00:08:21Why?
00:08:21Did somebody complain about something?
00:08:23No.
00:08:24No, no, no, no, no.
00:08:24I was just wondering if it would be possible to move the new guest, um, somewhere else.
00:08:30Who?
00:08:31Jack.
00:08:32Why?
00:08:33What did he do?
00:08:34Uh, well, he didn't, he didn't do anything.
00:08:37It's just that he, uh, wait a minute.
00:08:40Hold on.
00:08:41What are you guys doing right now?
00:08:43Nothing.
00:08:44Why?
00:08:45Well, because at first you're baking and now you're setting the table.
00:08:47Where is Chef David?
00:08:50He had a family emergency.
00:08:52And so how long have you guys been running the inn and the kitchen?
00:08:57Two weeks.
00:08:58Two weeks?
00:08:59Why didn't you call me?
00:09:01Why?
00:09:02What would you have done?
00:09:03You've got the cafe to worry about.
00:09:05Besides, look at us.
00:09:06We are fine.
00:09:08Okay, but how is Chef David gonna prep for all the-
00:09:10Oh, he'll catch up once he gets back in town.
00:09:11Besides, it's a potluck.
00:09:13Everyone will just bring a little bit more if we need them to.
00:09:17Or you could just let someone else host this year.
00:09:21Absolutely not.
00:09:22We couldn't.
00:09:23You know, it's really not a problem.
00:09:25Since the dinner's over at the Veteran Center, all we have to do is a little organization and
00:09:29then show up.
00:09:30I knew you guys were gonna say that.
00:09:32So, look, you know what I'll do?
00:09:33I'll go decorate the stairwell.
00:09:35Uh, sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt.
00:09:38Oh, nonsense.
00:09:39I told you to make yourself at home.
00:09:41I'm Hannah, Frank's wife.
00:09:43Nice to meet you, Hannah.
00:09:44Let us know if we can do anything to make your space special.
00:09:46Oh, well, everything has been, uh, really wonderful.
00:09:49Oh.
00:09:49Yeah, I was just giving myself a little tour, if that's okay.
00:09:52Oh, sure.
00:09:52We encourage our guests to roam about.
00:09:55All right, then.
00:09:55I'll, uh, I'll get back to it.
00:09:57Oh, uh, I happened over here.
00:09:59There's some decorating to do.
00:10:01I'd be happy to help.
00:10:02What a wonderful idea.
00:10:04Oh, no, no, no.
00:10:05No.
00:10:07That won't be necessary.
00:10:09Okay.
00:10:11Nice to meet you.
00:10:16No.
00:10:16What's the matter?
00:10:17I don't need his help.
00:10:19I don't need his help.
00:10:21He's a guest.
00:10:23I'm a guest.
00:10:24Yes.
00:10:24Did it get heavier?
00:10:45Come on.
00:10:46Get over here.
00:10:48Oh.
00:10:49These things got shorter.
00:10:51I don't need your help.
00:10:52Oh.
00:10:58Perfect.
00:11:02Hi.
00:11:03Um, can I help you?
00:11:07Kind of looks like you're the one who needs the help.
00:11:09I'm so fine.
00:11:13I do this every year.
00:11:14It's, it's very, it's not actually not that complicated.
00:11:17It's just that this has got, gotten a little, well, the lights and thing, you know.
00:11:23I'm, what, I, no, no, no.
00:11:24I, I'm, I'm, I'm fine.
00:11:26You don't find me.
00:11:26Why are you being so stubborn?
00:11:28Huh?
00:11:29I can help.
00:11:32I want to help.
00:11:36Okay, can you follow instructions?
00:11:39Yes, ma'am.
00:11:40Can you read a tape measure?
00:11:44Yes, I can read a tape measure.
00:11:48You're hired.
00:11:48But here's the thing.
00:11:50I am, I'm very, very particular about how this is hung.
00:11:54So it has to be hung evenly.
00:11:56And it has to have a drape of approximately.
00:12:01You have two.
00:12:03Two is one is and one is none.
00:12:06All right.
00:12:06So it has to be draped at five inches.
00:12:09Can you do that?
00:12:10Yep.
00:12:11Seven inches.
00:12:12No, I.
00:12:14Don't make me regret this.
00:12:16Okay, so it's even.
00:12:27I like it.
00:12:28It's good.
00:12:29So that's it?
00:12:31What are you?
00:12:34Jack, thank you so much for temporarily holding the garland while I hang it.
00:12:41Is that better?
00:12:43Actually, yeah, that's a lot better.
00:12:46But I meant as I did as far as decorating.
00:12:50Oh, yeah.
00:12:52That's, that's it.
00:13:05I'm not following you.
00:13:08And yet, here you are.
00:13:09There's coffee, tea, cookies, whatever you like.
00:13:21Popper?
00:13:22No, no thank you.
00:13:23All right.
00:13:24Tea taken?
00:13:32Apparently so.
00:13:34Can I ask you a question?
00:13:42You know, look, we don't have to do this whole small talk thing.
00:13:46You know, talking about what we've both been doing since college.
00:13:48We don't.
00:13:49I mean, it looks like you're doing well and I'm happy for you.
00:13:51That's great.
00:13:53Yes.
00:13:54Yeah, things are going pretty good.
00:13:56But, um, I was just going to ask you about the Yuletide potluck.
00:13:59I saw a flyer for it.
00:14:00It looks pretty nice.
00:14:02Yes, the potluck.
00:14:08Um, it is nice.
00:14:11It is something that we do every year for the military families based in town.
00:14:15Yeah.
00:14:16My grandmother actually started it back in World War II when my grandfather went off to war.
00:14:22So he, uh, he served overseas, huh?
00:14:25Mm-hmm.
00:14:25Yeah, three Christmases in a row.
00:14:28Very proud of that.
00:14:29And, uh, basically my grandmother just saw these wives and children and they were also missing their loved ones who were serving.
00:14:39So she thought, you know, no one should be alone at Christmas.
00:14:43So she had just invited everybody over and that's kind of how this thing started.
00:14:48Wow.
00:14:49Well, your grandfather, he eventually came home, right?
00:14:52Yeah.
00:14:53Yeah, he did.
00:14:55And when he saw what she had been doing, he loved it.
00:14:58So he wanted to continue the tradition, so they did.
00:15:00And then my parents took over.
00:15:02And then eventually it got so big that we had to move it to the Veterans Center.
00:15:06Mm-hmm.
00:15:07And, you know, my parents still host it.
00:15:10Well, my brother's in the military, you know, so I really admire your family for doing that.
00:15:17Yeah.
00:15:18Um, uh, well, speaking of the events, I have a lot to do, so, um, enjoy your coffee.
00:15:33Hot cocos with homemade whipped cream.
00:15:35Ooh, wow.
00:15:38But this wasn't too much trouble?
00:15:40Absolutely not.
00:15:41Plus, you went out of your way to help Beth with the garland.
00:15:44It was nothing.
00:15:46And I'm more than happy to pitch in with anything while I'm here.
00:15:49I mean, my schedule's pretty open.
00:15:51Oh.
00:15:51Hmm.
00:15:52Why are you in town, may I ask?
00:15:54Well, I'm a civil engineer with the military.
00:15:57And Snow Ridge just happened to be on the list of bases that I needed to visit.
00:16:01Since my brother's based here, I thought it'd be nice to, uh, you know, surprise him and his wife and my two nephews for Christmas.
00:16:07Well, I'm sure your family is happy to have you in town.
00:16:09Yeah, well, my job's kept me on the road for a while, so it'll be nice to, uh, you know, spend a little time with them.
00:16:15Mm-hmm.
00:16:17You know, Beth told me about the, uh, Yuletide potluck.
00:16:20I think it is incredible what your family has done for the town.
00:16:23Well, it's the families here that bring it to life.
00:16:26And my parents.
00:16:28Did you tell Jack about the wreaths of honor?
00:16:31We decorate wreaths to honor the veterans.
00:16:33Friends, every wreath represents a family that has served.
00:16:37You can go to the booth in the village square and decorate one if you like.
00:16:41Beth can show you where it is.
00:16:46We write letters to soldiers who were deployed and wrap gifts for military children.
00:16:52Yeah, we still need to get a tree and decorate it for the Veterans Center.
00:16:56Well, you know, like I said, I'd be more than happy to help with anything.
00:17:00Jack, that's very kind of you.
00:17:02But wounded into fear with work.
00:17:04No, no, no, no, not at all.
00:17:05And, you know, my dad's, sir, and my brother currently serves as a first sergeant, so I know what it means to families when the communities show up.
00:17:15Well, I've got a little work to do, so I should probably go in.
00:17:19Oh, do you have everything you need?
00:17:20Oh, yeah, I'm all set. Thank you so much.
00:17:22And, Beth, it was nice seeing you again.
00:17:25Yep, you too.
00:17:27Thanks again.
00:17:29Seeing you again?
00:17:37What's that about?
00:17:39What do you mean, what's that about?
00:17:41It's nothing.
00:17:42It's just...
00:17:44We had a date in college, okay?
00:17:46It was a blind date.
00:17:47It did not go well, and this is the first time I've seen him since then.
00:17:51Well, he seems like he's grown into a very nice man.
00:17:53Mom, I know it looks like that, but you don't know anything about him.
00:17:56Neither do you.
00:17:57I love you both.
00:18:04Love you.
00:18:06I'm going to go unpack.
00:18:07This is really good.
00:18:07What just happened?
00:18:15Let's do the dishes.
00:18:15Do you?
00:18:21Perfect.
00:18:25Five and...
00:18:27Nine.
00:18:28What?
00:18:29It's nine.
00:18:30Wait.
00:18:31Five or seven.
00:18:33Five inches.
00:18:34Seven.
00:18:34Seven.
00:18:36Seven.
00:18:37All right.
00:18:38Perfect.
00:18:39Perfect.
00:18:40Beautiful.
00:18:41Hey.
00:18:47Hey.
00:18:47Hey.
00:18:48How's it going?
00:18:49Good to be home?
00:18:54Yeah.
00:18:55Yeah, mostly.
00:18:57What's that mean, mostly?
00:18:58nothing it's fine really it doesn't sound like you're fine i'm fine i'm fine i'm just dealing
00:19:07with a difficult guest that's all difficult as in a complainer or difficult as playing jingle
00:19:13bells at 2 a.m no no neither although i would have preferred one of those no he's just someone
00:19:19from my past i love this story already is he an old friend no more like a walking reminder of a bad
00:19:27decision that date a bad blind date which is you know emily it's like i don't know what it is about
00:19:35him he just you know he just gets to me he does and i have so much to do i have decorating i have my
00:19:43my parents have volunteered for everything it's just it's a lot but anyway i don't want to talk
00:19:47about it i don't want to talk about it what about you what's going on there no no i i still have two
00:19:52minutes until open so back to this difficult guest just try to ignore him you have the inn your
00:19:58parents the yuletide potluck the veteran center that's more than a few full-time jobs
00:20:02yeah yeah my thoughts exactly thank you call me if you need me of course bye beth bye
00:20:15chef david welcome back oh i can't tell you how happy i am to see you it wasn't that bad was it
00:20:29let's just say the smoke alarm and frank became close friends well i have coffee and tea waiting
00:20:36in the dining room and homemade biscuits and apple cider jam coming right up that sounds wonderful
00:20:42oh how's your father much better i'm sorry again for leaving so quickly no no no don't apologize
00:20:47his family first thank you i know we're a little behind prepping for yuletide but i promise i'll
00:20:53have us ready to go just as frank tried to make santa pancakes for the guests needless to say it
00:21:00didn't end well well fortunately i have more pans i'll take these and this frank
00:21:10the inn is beautiful you guys have seen it right oh of course i've planned some meetings there for
00:21:20some events i mean it's gorgeous any time of year but during christmas it's like a winter wonderland
00:21:25oh i know and i even did some decorating yesterday you did the what now well i assisted you know with
00:21:33the garland and just the garland should we be worried look it's not like i enlisted in a christmas
00:21:40parade okay i know but you've avoided that kind of stuff for years well that's what happens when
00:21:45you're on the road you know different bases different assignments not exactly a whole lot of
00:21:50time for decking the halls i will leave you to your brotherly bickering but jack it's really good to
00:21:57have you here it's really good being here garlanding don't start oh it's way too late for that
00:22:09look it just felt good to do something normal all right right
00:22:13garland really hey i heard you the first time all right
00:22:21morning good morning you need any help nope nope sit down enjoy relax all right do you want some
00:22:31uh no thank you but i will take one of these where's jack did you tell him breakfast is ready
00:22:37um jack's a grown adult i'm sure he knows when breakfast is
00:22:43i mean who knows he could be outside he could be brushing his teeth
00:22:46mommy could be playing checkers i don't know why would i know where jack is i don't know okay
00:22:52just say you don't know where he is
00:22:54okay i don't know where he is
00:22:59uh okay so first off on my list i am gonna take the flyers by the veterans center uh is there
00:23:09anything else that you need me to do i don't need a thing i'm just glad you're home
00:23:16just go
00:23:21merry christmas
00:23:37green it is so good to see you
00:23:39good to see you too look at you running this place
00:23:43uh speaking of which is it a little cold in here it is yes we've gotten old system so it takes a bit to heat this place up
00:23:50yeah when did you get back in town just yesterday i know i uh should have warned you
00:23:56don't be silly i'm just surprised to see you no how's your cafe it's good it's really good thank you for asking
00:24:02and your mom and dad you know i didn't see that at the planning committee last week everything okay
00:24:07i'm just a little overwhelmed you know chef david's been out of town for a couple weeks but
00:24:11they'll be fine
00:24:12here i want to bring you these thank you very much we were out
00:24:15i'm still trying to find the time to finish prepping this place two of my usual volunteers are having christmas babies
00:24:21oh
00:24:22as you can see the decorating is coming along but i'm still in need of one more tree
00:24:26well my mother told me you needed another tree so i'm here to help
00:24:30are you sure you have the time you just told me how crazy things are at the end
00:24:34of course i'm sure you know this place is important to the community
00:24:37it's important to me so i got you
00:24:39thank you so much
00:24:41i found found these last two green ones
00:24:42oh sorry i didn't know you had a visitor
00:24:45no it's okay lauren this is beth green her parents own the garland inn
00:24:50this is lauren my new assistant
00:24:51nice to meet you
00:24:52you too
00:24:53all right well i'm gonna get going i will talk to you later okay
00:24:56you can sit here i'm not gonna bite
00:25:10yeah sure
00:25:12that's hot
00:25:25it's called hot chocolate
00:25:29right
00:25:32place is great
00:25:39the square the village the decorations
00:25:42yeah the community goes all out you know i think because we're so close to the base
00:25:47they just want to make it special for the military families
00:25:49it's pretty nice
00:25:51yeah
00:25:52what
00:25:57oh uh nothing nothing
00:26:00what jack
00:26:03i just remembered a little part of our date
00:26:05i think there was a uh a minor discrepancy
00:26:09what quantifies as riveting conversation
00:26:13i still maintain that aggregate is very compelling
00:26:16which is why we didn't have a second date
00:26:18i'll make sure
00:26:20i'll make sure to keep the concrete talk under 30 seconds next time
00:26:23it's not gonna be a nice
00:26:25no one is enough
00:26:27one and done
00:26:28what's that
00:26:32what's what
00:26:34that
00:26:34oh that's you know what we were telling you about you can make a wreath for a veteran
00:26:39oh right right
00:26:43so anyone can make one
00:26:45mm-hmm
00:26:47do you want to make a wreath
00:26:49oh no no i i wouldn't even know what to do i mean i'm not exactly crafty you know
00:26:57jack do you want me to help you make a wreath
00:26:59no one come on you don't have time for that
00:27:03i do have time for that i always have time for the veterans
00:27:06come on i'll help you
00:27:09all right
00:27:12come on get on there
00:27:14you got a missing spot right there
00:27:17well i have a solution right here
00:27:21so where do you call home these days
00:27:25well i've been based in the city but because of all the traveling for my work
00:27:31home has become more like a series of extended stay hotels
00:27:35sounds efficient
00:27:38yeah you know no cleaning no yard work no
00:27:41complaining from the neighbors about my christmas lights up in february
00:27:45you leave your lights up till february no not anymore you're one of those huh i was
00:27:51kind of love that so you obviously travel and the military just sends you around everywhere
00:28:02yeah yeah pretty much even during christmas
00:28:05yeah even during christmas
00:28:08and you're okay with that well yeah i mean you know i've got to experience christmas all around the
00:28:13world there's this one place in central america called las posadas they have an amazing nine day
00:28:20celebration nine days the communities reenact mary and joseph's search for shelter and so people
00:28:27walk from house to house carrying candles singing and different family hosts each night i love that
00:28:33yeah oh and there's this place in poland that does a christmas eve dinner called wigilia yeah i've
00:28:39heard of it yeah and it uh it begins when the first star appears in the night sky my personal
00:28:45favorite is germany the christmas markets are unbelievable yeah i mean whole town squares are
00:28:51lit up by stalls of homemade gifts mulled wine roasted nuts carolers i mean it honestly feels like
00:28:58you've just stepped into a snow boat okay i'm not gonna lie all of that sounds absolutely fabulous but
00:29:05still i mean it's christmas don't you just want to be with your family at home yeah you know maybe one
00:29:12day when my assignments run out or when i've seen all i want to see uh okay well i need a pen piece of
00:29:20paper you just you never stop working do you uh this isn't work well it looks to me like you're about
00:29:28to write another one of your long lists i am just writing a blessing for a soldier
00:29:34right here put it right here i think we're done well just one little thing here ah
00:29:46much better okay let's hang it up okay
00:30:04you made a wreath i made a wreath all right now we gotta get back to work come on all right boss back
00:30:13to work
00:30:22oh hi you two hey did you have a nice day yeah yeah we did we did i uh i got some work done this morning
00:30:30and then headed to village square where i uh ran into this one i heard they're still finishing the
00:30:34setup it actually looks finished to me oh well they're almost finished people are still making
00:30:39wreaths did you make a wreath i did beth helped a lot oh it sounds like fun uh i dropped the flyers off
00:30:51and i've been also dealing with the food donations for the potluck i think we're gonna need a few more
00:30:57sides well you know i do make a mean mashed sweet potato casserole marshmallows and all no no no i mean
00:31:04you're you're a guest you just said that is very kind of you we'll keep you on standby
00:31:10mm-hmm okay well i'm gonna get back to work then all right bye bye bye bye
00:31:23oh it's a really good casserole it sounds good yeah you didn't know what i am
00:31:30what you doing oh um just stuffing stockings you finally found something that i cannot help you
00:31:40with why is that well my mom used to handle all this when i was a kid in fact i don't think i've
00:31:47had a stocking since i lived at home what what do you mean you have it well jack that's sad
00:31:58wow i mean i can see how it might be hard to imagine someone enjoying so much
00:32:04time spent on the road but i don't know there's something about not knowing you know discovering
00:32:09a new place it's exciting and of course when my job's done i know i've left a place better for
00:32:16the people who live there it's good feeling although i have to admit since being here
00:32:23i've realized what i've been missing you know most airports they lack a good wreath making station
00:32:29or an honor ceremony or an honor ceremony
00:32:35what's an honor ceremony oh we didn't tell you no oh oh sorry it's this sweet little ceremony that we do
00:32:43in village square and we light candles and lanterns and it's just another way to celebrate the military
00:32:52sounds nice yeah
00:32:57so you mean to tell me out of all the places that you've been nowhere feels like home
00:33:03well once in a while i try to imagine myself somewhere that feels like home but
00:33:10with all the traveling for work you know all the logistics it just gets kind of complicated
00:33:18well uh looks like you have got this handle so
00:33:21i'm gonna go see if your parents need a hand okay see you later bye
00:33:35another amazing breakfast chef thank you tomorrow i'm doing my own spin on a cranberry orange french
00:33:41toast casserole i just ate so how am i hungry already what are you up to today oh we have a few guests
00:33:48coming in yeah and i'm gonna go over to the veterans center gotta work on some table arrangements
00:33:53i'm gonna bring them some extra decorations oh can i have some snacks to take with me you've
00:33:58come to the right place oh i hear there's somebody new over there i want to get us all
00:34:02organized and on the same page make sure we're not duplicating our efforts for yuletide potluck
00:34:06uh beth did you see the spreadsheet yeah i haven't updated it yet sorry you know what
00:34:13david why don't you go with beth frank and i can hold things down here and i think we should
00:34:17stay on top of who's bringing what let me get a few extra cookies to the drive
00:34:24is jack around
00:34:27i don't know why well i was gonna ask him if he's serious about making another side dish
00:34:32for the yuletide i think we're gonna need a couple
00:34:33okay why don't you ask him okay i will why are you being weird
00:34:48hi perfect timing i can't thank you enough for helping us out no problem do you know our chef at
00:34:57the end chef david yes of course i do thank you so much for helping us out again with yuletide potluck
00:35:02and everything you do to help us celebrate our military my pleasure really all right so i'm going
00:35:07to have you work with my assistant lauren on the food donations lauren perfect timing this is chef
00:35:13david he's going to be doing all the additional cooking for yuletide can you bring him up to speed
00:35:17yes of course hi uh david nice to meet you i uh uh i thank you for the spreadsheet i've been
00:35:27inputting all of the information into it i uh uh brought cookies if you like cookies oh i love them
00:35:34those smell amazing are they gingerbread cookies yes i just made them this morning i use orange zest it
00:35:40makes all the difference oh i'll have to try that next time i make them
00:35:44oh really do you cook too yeah well not compared to someone like you
00:35:48come on follow me i'll show you where to put them
00:35:55well that went well it did oh i meant to tell you will's brother's town and i asked him to help
00:36:01you with the tree sorry i'm late i'm eating at the base for a little longer than expected what are you
00:36:05doing here i'm not following you i'm just here volunteering so me too
00:36:13you guys know each other yeah i was just telling beth that i volunteered
00:36:17you to help with the christmas tree hunting and decorations
00:36:24okay i've got to go deal with this thank you both so much no problem
00:36:31uh you know what i don't need any help to go pick out a christmas tree fully capable of that all right
00:36:38all right why have you decided if you're gonna get a little tree or a big tree i don't know that
00:36:45i really thought about that i i assume just the best tree they have well if you do decide on getting
00:36:51a big tree i'm assuming that they'll have someone there to uh help you load it up uh well i see your
00:37:00point so yes i could probably use your help if if i get a big tree so do you just want to go through
00:37:12your bin and i'll go through this one and see what's in there and then we can make two piles uh keep and
00:37:17throw away throw away anything got it oh and the lights if sorry silly suckers yeah if you could uh
00:37:29just just put the lights on the table
00:37:37natalie asked me to help with the tree she didn't mention i'd be helping you not not that it's a
00:37:42problem i just i just wanted to clarify oh yeah yeah well i also didn't know that you were natalie's
00:37:47brother-in-law so also not a problem i just didn't know that was a surprise oh how about this one
00:37:53keep or throw away i like that one keep huh this one's different how about this keep or throw away
00:38:04um uh throw it away yeah we don't need it you know what i think that we have plenty of ornaments for
00:38:21whatever size tree that we want to get so let's go get the tree i will i'll see you in the car
00:38:34it looks a little picked over and uh they're not very big either well i mean what they lack in size
00:38:49they make up for in spirit yeah oh i used to hate doing this as a kid then what this picking out
00:38:58christmas trees you know it always made me nervous because i felt like i had to get the perfect one and
00:39:02then i grew up and i understood it's not even about the tree it's about the people around it you know
00:39:15and you know there's really no ugly christmas trees there's not like they don't exist you can't find
00:39:21them right and why are you not talking why are you not not analyzing everything i'm saying
00:39:28jack ephans is jack ephans finally at a loss for words now don't give me too much credit i'm still
00:39:34going to explain to you why fraser furs are far superior to noble furs there it is uh we'll take
00:39:42this one we'll be back to get it okay thank you did you know that the first artificial christmas trees
00:39:48were developed in 19th century germany they were made with goose feathers that they painted green
00:39:53what it's you your brain is always working you know i could say the same of yours
00:40:02this big time cafe owner with all of your lists you got me there i do make a lot of lists yeah
00:40:10so did you always want to own a cafe yeah i did spent a lot of time in the kitchen at the end
00:40:17just creating my little menu uh let's see what was on it um there was gumdrop soup there was always a
00:40:27lot of christmas cookies of course and uh my famous gingerbread icing sandwiches wow sugar soup and sugar
00:40:36sandwiches okay it wasn't healthy but i knew my menu uh what about you did you always want to be a
00:40:43a big civil engineer yeah pretty much pretty much i loved building things when i was a kid
00:40:51i mean just the idea of creating things that lasted that helped people i've been able to oversee housing
00:40:57upgrades infrastructure work things that really improved the living conditions of military families
00:41:05overseas so that's nice you know the work is really fulfilling and as much as i used to like the
00:41:12traveling aspect of it to be nice to have a home base i could see that yeah
00:41:22well i hope that one day when you're done with all the traveling that you do find a home
00:41:27i do have a house you know it's not what he said a house doesn't mean you have a home
00:41:33home speaking of which i need to get back to the inn i have a lot of lists to create
00:41:41see i was right your brain never stops working touche uh thank you for your help with the tree today
00:41:49hey hey how's it going great busy uh please don't worry everything's fine i'm just closing out
00:42:08okay glad to hear it so how's the garland in it's good i'm just figuring out how many tables i'm gonna need
00:42:14to set up and uh who's bringing what getting candles lanterns also busy not shocked you know
00:42:23here's something that's kind of bugging me is that he's always there everywhere i go it's it doesn't
00:42:28matter if it's in village square if it's in the veterans center i turn around and he's just he's there
00:42:34uh he who jack is this the guy from college yes yes he's you know here's the thing emily is he's a
00:42:43guest and he's carrying boxes he's baking he's he's decorating that's awful horrible person
00:42:52you know what i mean does it bring you joy to help people yeah of course it gives me joy to help people
00:42:58so maybe it gives him the same feeling i mean don't deny the man his joy put him to work beth
00:43:06also remember what time it is it is christmas so maybe he just likes being a part of it all
00:43:12so maybe go easy on him let him participate without torturing him
00:43:17oh okay you're right you're right you're right i'll be better you are better i'll talk to you later
00:43:29merry christmas
00:43:40oh hey i'm going to village square with mom do you need anything uh yes can you pick up fresh cranberries
00:43:47and also these ingredients for the cookies we're running low and if i'm not mistaken christmas is
00:43:52coming yes it is oh where are you taking those they're for the veteran center oh i thought i dropped
00:44:02them off okay sure they'll love them especially lauren i hope so she said they don't usually have baked
00:44:10goods and i thought that i maybe this is a bad idea is it too forward oh it's not too forward you're bringing
00:44:18muffins to a woman she's gonna love it trust me thanks beth okay i didn't really do anything but
00:44:24you're welcome you gave me some much needed encouragement and you are picking up ingredients
00:44:28for the cookies and cranberries right oh yes yes hi
00:44:41so you never told me what happened with you and jack in college
00:44:49mom nothing happened with jack and i okay it's it was just one bad blind date and uh
00:44:55he talked about concrete for 45 minutes well hopefully he's changed since you were in college
00:45:02you have what's that supposed to mean was it that bad was that yeah okay i'll give you that i was
00:45:11that bad listen mom the point is is i just don't have the energy for jack right now well from what i can
00:45:17see he's been trying to help you enjoy it he actually hasn't had a stocking since he was at home with
00:45:32his parents so i'll take it merry christmas you see you okay definitely i need to make another batch
00:45:47okay let's see so uh oh what is this i'm gonna throw this away at i'm gonna need more butter i'm
00:45:54more cinnamon more jack huh hey hey hey what's going on here uh well it well it started um with me
00:46:04making my you know my famous sweet potato casserole but then chef david came in and asked if i could
00:46:10you know change course and help bake so i decided to make christmas cookies but then i realized you know
00:46:16it's been a while since i've made cookies so uh well that's that's where i am um okay this is this is
00:46:23cookies yeah okay all right uh is there any dough yes uh cookie dough right there oh i can try it i i
00:46:33don't i don't know how it came out but i mean how bad could it be right i mean it's cookie dough exactly
00:46:40oh really that that that bad
00:46:52what is that oh you didn't um you didn't actually use sugar did you yeah yeah yeah look i followed the
00:47:00recipe um and it says i it says one half cup of sugar sugar
00:47:05sugar i may have mixed the salt and the sugar up yeah okay
00:47:18i'm glad you find this amusing
00:47:23all right there's good and bad news which one do you want first hit me with the bad news first all
00:47:27right well the bad news is is we can't save that yeah that was that was horrible awesome yeah the good
00:47:34news is is i brought reinforcements and i don't give up all right all right here's the thing though
00:47:41i do not work in a messy kitchen and definitely cannot have a messy sous chef which you are right
00:47:48now what happened i mean what did you you have a little bit of flour stuff on my face everywhere you've
00:47:55got it everywhere okay we have to start over yes ma'am go grab that bowl all right flour uh yeah oh sorry
00:48:09whoop uh all right don't touch this salt put it over here okay oh i am gonna go get an apron this is
00:48:20pretty bad all right you just uh clean up copy that
00:48:35drum roll all right moment of truth here we go one for you thank you one for me
00:48:42oh they're so cute they're adorable if nothing else they're cute they are they are cute
00:48:53i am good you're good what are you talking about give me some credit i saved you
00:49:00okay maybe it was the uh combination of us that saved me i'll give you that wow these are good
00:49:08so there was a time where you did have a normal christmas with your family right they used to be
00:49:18normal what was that like well probably exactly how you would imagine with two boys who thought
00:49:25they're from the wild west your poor mother yeah i was uh it was pretty hectic she was a saint my brother
00:49:32and i were quite a handful yeah i bet how about you it was exactly what you would think yeah i mean
00:49:41there was always a party here events to go to it was very lively i have to admit i've always kind of
00:49:48wondered what a quiet little christmas would be like but then i would see these military families come
00:49:54up to my parents and i'm just reminded that it's an absolute honor to do what we do for them
00:50:00yeah yeah yeah it is your your family's pretty incredible well it seems to me like you have a perfect
00:50:10life hmm even a perfect life can get pretty lonely
00:50:18um okay what's going on oh hey we're just nothing we're just uh just bacon bacon cookies like you
00:50:33wanted so that's what we're doing so we were just we're trying to taste it with some milk you saving
00:50:39something for potluck yeah of course there's plenty here yeah there are also a lot in the fridge in the
00:50:45in the fridge a whole stack you two might be hired everybody appreciated the muffins and extra cookies
00:50:53especially lauren i uh i offered to give lauren some cooking lessons she
00:50:59she loved the idea you guys mind if i prep for breakfast tomorrow no not at all yeah oh oh yeah no
00:51:07no no no you he needs the space yeah right i'm gonna i'm gonna go get the sorry i'm gonna just
00:51:13grab another oh more cookies you want one yeah uh yeah yeah go ahead and grab one okay all right thank you
00:51:18all right i'll uh well bye
00:51:24honestly not bad
00:51:24hey stranger hey thank you for helping beth go pick out the tree for the veteran center it looks so
00:51:39good yeah it does doesn't it well it's not home just yet it's okay can i give your hand no i'm okay
00:51:47everything okay at the base uh yeah yeah everything at work is just fine
00:51:58i made cookies tonight you did yeah did you bring me any no uh they're for the yuletide potluck but
00:52:09i'm just not used to slowing down snow ridge has that effect on people yeah
00:52:18you know she's pretty interesting she knows exactly who she is what she wants it's just
00:52:25i don't know it's it's different yeah beth is a pretty amazing person
00:52:32that is who you're talking about right yes but it's not like that you know she's just jack you've
00:52:38been moving from base to base for years it can be nice just to meet someone that you click with
00:52:44don't ever think it's just enjoy it while you're here and if the opportunity presents itself maybe
00:52:49don't talk about concrete next time i am never going to live that down am i what do you think
00:52:55do you think yeah all right well my break is over um the offer still stands take that too
00:53:16i think everything is in good shape are you okay
00:53:27hmm oh yeah yeah uh i'm all good i was just thinking about logistics
00:53:33uh-huh and logistics make you smile like that
00:53:36i'm not smiling okay tell that to the bow you've been messing around with for the last 20 minutes
00:53:44well you're welcome i mean it's pretty much perfect now there you go
00:53:47okay so have you ever just felt like you were maybe overthinking a thought that should be pretty simple
00:54:08i'm gonna take a leap here and say we're no longer talking about the potluck or logistics
00:54:12hypothetically speaking let's say that well you okay let's say you like someone right
00:54:20but that person is is not there and he's not here either and but but the thought of that person
00:54:30right the the joy of that thought it it was very much here but he's not there and he's not here either
00:54:37it's like he's nowhere i've got to be honest i'm completely lost morning i meant to join you guys
00:54:44earlier but uh david brought me this incredible pumpkin streusel scone see no there is someone who's
00:54:50not overthinking anything oh are we talking about you and jack i don't understand why everybody's talking
00:54:56about me and jack there's nothing like i'm i'm here jack's here there's no me and jack david might
00:55:01have mentioned that he saw you guys in the kitchen he thought it was cute he thought what was you
00:55:06that we were baking that jack was baking i mean yes i guess in theory that's you know jack is it was
00:55:16kind of cute that he was ba the fact that he was baking because he doesn't look like a baker he doesn't
00:55:22you know but i mean him in particular like if you took the baking away then i don't think he would be
00:55:28that cute but yeah baking is is is cute oh yeah yeah baking is cute all right well if you guys don't
00:55:38need me for anything i'm gonna go start confirming volunteer time so you'll play potluck
00:55:42i'm gonna go okay thanks for the chat
00:55:54hey vet yeah if it helps jack came over last night for what to say pretty much everything you just did
00:56:03did and did it hey thank you
00:56:10did you tell jack he was welcome to join us mom i'm sure he has better things to do than
00:56:25help us with our gift bags these lights work last year dad stop just why do you do this
00:56:35it's hard but look it the tree looks perfect don't even worry about it i agree it's pretty perfect
00:56:41how was it jack welcome to the annual untangling of the lights with my father jack we were just
00:56:49talking about you we knew we weren't oh boy come on you and i are on hot cocoa duty i'll have marshmallows
00:56:57in mind frank you're not a guess oh i'm coming
00:57:11i'm sorry um no you first well i was gonna just ask you a very serious question
00:57:21okay do you curl ribbon can i curl a ribbon watch and learn
00:57:35what what are these for
00:57:36and it even makes that sound i love that sound okay all right one more i'm gonna show you one
00:57:47more time all right okay okay okay okay right here right here yes all right okay
00:57:55ah perfection
00:57:59anyway okay there's your first and only lesson all right
00:58:03all right i guess i just need a little more practice
00:58:07hey uh
00:58:10can i ask you a personal question okay this just got really serious
00:58:16okay shoot
00:58:18so the other day at the veterans center you had me throw away an ornament with a b and
00:58:22a k on it i'm assuming there's no k anymore oh kevin
00:58:29it's my ex and no there's no k may i ask what happened no no it's fine uh
00:58:39well we dated for for quite a while five years actually and um i wanted to get married and
00:58:49that's that's rough i'm sorry okay okay i mean i was tore up about it for quite a while but um
00:59:03you know i think you have to look at your life in in its entirety you know i mean i have great friends
00:59:10great family i own a cafe i'm blessed yeah yeah you are blessed
00:59:21can i ask you a question
00:59:24yeah yeah sure
00:59:25you travel all the time i mean how do you maintain any kind of relationship like that
00:59:32actually uh it's pretty tough i'm single and i i could blame that on my job but
00:59:41because you were so honest with me
00:59:44well i was in a pretty serious relationship too
00:59:47mm-hmm so i proposed to her and she said no i'm sorry no it's okay it was a long time ago and
00:59:59you know looking back she just she wasn't ready yet and actually the travel i do for work kind of
01:00:05helped me get through it or you know maybe the traveling is just kind of leading you where you need
01:00:12to be maybe
01:00:16beth jack hot chocolate's ready frank leave them alone they'll come in if they want some but who
01:00:23doesn't want hot chocolate on a night like today your parents are adorable yeah um to be continued
01:00:33hey got a minute for you of course how's potluck cleaning going you ready
01:00:47yeah well christmas is in a couple days and everything's good the honor ceremonies tonight
01:00:54we're all good for that and all the guests at the inn are happy so that's a win even jack
01:00:59uh jack wow well i actually think i got that one wrong we made cookies together i know when's the
01:01:09last time i made cookies with a guy never exactly but you know i gotta say i saw this different side of
01:01:16him he was charming and honest and nice so wait i'm confused you like him now i mean it doesn't matter
01:01:29whether i like him or not it's just i don't i just don't really feel like getting to know someone right
01:01:35now especially not someone that's that complicated that do not overthink this just give yourself the
01:01:41chance to like someone again whether it's a friend or something more just have fun you know what you're
01:01:48good at what making everything seem so simple i know that's why they pay me the big bucks i'll talk to
01:01:56you later okay bye bye these apples are defective it's not the apples it's the operator show off
01:02:12so what'd you end up doing last night uh help beth with the gift bags
01:02:15what we we had a really good time okay okay oh i forgot to ask does she want to come with us to
01:02:25the lantern ceremony oh i uh you know i really didn't have a chance to talk to her about it
01:02:31you are currently staying under the same roof yeah i'm aware
01:02:36morning jack morning can we do anything to help with the lantern ceremony i'm sure i'll have
01:02:41ten things for you guys later but right now no beth has been so great helping organize the events
01:02:48so just finish peeling the apples for the pies before my parents bring the boys back
01:02:52honey i've got it under control i'm an expert apple peeler
01:02:58just make sure he completes the assignment roger that boss oh speaking of assignments while i have
01:03:04you both here i uh i got word early this morning that i have my next order and i have to leave new
01:03:10year's day oh no that soon yeah i thought you could stay for at least a few weeks i know me too but
01:03:15they need me in stockard housing upgrades on the base and then a uh a rotation through eastern europe
01:03:20after that so how long this time i don't know hey no sad faces at least i'm gonna be here for christmas
01:03:29all right well tonight you'll get to experience the lantern ceremony and on christmas the potluck
01:03:35and we've really enjoyed having you here this christmas yeah me too all right i'll see you guys
01:03:42later see you bye
01:03:46this is the part where you get excited right it's been a while since you've been to germany
01:03:51yeah yeah it's gonna be good
01:03:53you know why don't you let the professional take over from here huh
01:04:00okay
01:04:04no yes yes it's a stocking this is it's just a friendly gesture it'll be fine
01:04:14jack are you in here jack
01:04:23is jack meeting us here uh yeah i think so he did send me a text said he had something to do for
01:04:49work but um he should be here later he's been around a lot lately these past few days yeah he has
01:04:54he's been helping merry christmas thanks for coming it's just you don't seem to mind as much as
01:05:01you used to you know when he first arrived that's all i don't uh i don't guess i do merry christmas
01:05:07merry christmas
01:05:11i'm happy you're happy i'm glad you're happy that i'm happy
01:05:15hello mr father hi merry christmas
01:05:21hey there may i have your attention let's gather around please join us tonight we gather
01:05:37as we have for 70 years to honor those who serve and have served to remember their sacrifice
01:05:45and support their families we light these lanterns and candles as a symbol to remind us that even in
01:05:56darkness our community's gratitude shines bright for our brave military
01:06:03my mother started this tradition with the yuletide potluck so i hope to see all of you
01:06:10on christmas day thank you thank you all for coming merry christmas wow you guys that was great
01:06:21thank you so much for inviting me of course i just wish you didn't have to go so soon after christmas
01:06:27yeah can't wait to move on travel leave a place behind you know no ties no details germany here i come
01:06:35you know and that that was my entire life every day thinking and saying those things but i don't know
01:06:45i don't want that anymore not after being here then maybe it's time that you admit that's someone
01:06:51other than us i think you're right
01:06:58where'd she go okay i'm gonna go find her
01:07:05where'd she go
01:07:08Oh.
01:07:38Everyone deserves a stocking.
01:07:46This is for you when you find your home.
01:07:50When your home finds you.
01:07:55Good morning.
01:07:57Good morning.
01:07:58Just in time to test my apple cranberry scones.
01:08:01These look so good.
01:08:05Mmm.
01:08:06You are so good at what you do.
01:08:10I've been meaning to talk to you.
01:08:12I know you've been busy, but is everything okay?
01:08:15You good?
01:08:16Thank you for helping me break out of my shell.
01:08:19Lauren's pretty special.
01:08:21I mean, I know we just met, but we've both been honest about where we are in our lives,
01:08:25and thankfully we're both open to the possibility of something more.
01:08:33I'm happy for you.
01:08:34How about you and Jack?
01:08:37When you two were making cookies in here, I thought I saw some sparks flying.
01:08:41No sparks, just, um, sprinkles.
01:08:45Morning.
01:08:46Oh, hey.
01:08:47Morning, David.
01:08:48Ooh, it smells amazing in here.
01:08:50I got scones if you're hungry.
01:08:51Do you have coffee?
01:08:53Yeah, dining room.
01:08:55Want some coffee?
01:08:55No, no, no, no, I don't want coffee.
01:08:57I just thought that maybe you would want some coffee with those, um, sugar biscuit things.
01:09:06They're scones.
01:09:08Scones.
01:09:08Uh, we were gonna look over your spices, weren't we?
01:09:13We were gonna look into that, because I know you said that, whoa, look at those.
01:09:18You've got, um, you've got your nutmeg here, which is very similar when you look at it in color to your cumin.
01:09:24Actually, highly organized.
01:09:25Which can all be good.
01:09:26Oh, you've got your cinnamon.
01:09:28Look at that.
01:09:29These all look alike, and that could be bad when baking.
01:09:32So I'm just gonna make sure that that doesn't happen for you, and I'm gonna, I'm gonna move them.
01:09:36Oh, gosh, don't do that.
01:09:36Look at that.
01:09:37You've got some great spices there.
01:09:39Okay.
01:09:40Um, well, um, uh, I think that's about it.
01:09:45My work is done here.
01:09:46I'm gonna go get some coffee.
01:09:47Didn't she just say she didn't want any coffee?
01:09:51That's what she said.
01:09:53That was weird.
01:09:54It was bizarre.
01:09:54I need to go fix my spices.
01:10:12So, big day tomorrow, huh?
01:10:14Yeah.
01:10:15Well, I'm ready to work.
01:10:18Yeah, I'm sure my parents have probably got something for you to do.
01:10:22All right.
01:10:24Do you think we could, uh, talk first?
01:10:28Uh, yeah, yeah, I'd like to talk to you, too.
01:10:33I just wanted to thank you for that stocking you left me.
01:10:35Oh, that's just a silly gift.
01:10:37It was just a friendly token to say thank you for all the hard work you've done.
01:10:42Yeah, right.
01:10:44I understand.
01:10:45That, um, I'm gonna look on your parents.
01:10:50See if they need a hand.
01:10:58Just so you know, I'm gonna have that stocking in my suitcase every Christmas.
01:11:01when I find where home is.
01:11:17Any difference yet?
01:11:18Do you feel like it's any warmer?
01:11:20It's still pretty cold.
01:11:23Yes, I'm still holding.
01:11:26Oh, you can?
01:11:27That's wonderful.
01:11:29Oh, January 13th?
01:11:32No.
01:11:33That's going to be too late, but thank you anyway.
01:11:39Any luck?
01:11:40I've tried everyone and anyone.
01:11:44Hi.
01:11:47Why do your faces look like that?
01:11:49I was just about to call you.
01:11:51The heating system went out last night.
01:11:53I had Richard in town come take a look at it,
01:11:55but the problem is that the system is so old,
01:11:58they're having a hard time finding the parts for it.
01:12:00And no one has those parts?
01:12:04I've been on the phone all morning.
01:12:08I don't know, I don't know.
01:12:09Just let me think about this.
01:12:10In the meantime, just start packing up everything.
01:12:13Everything.
01:12:14I mean dishes, presents, decorations, everything, okay?
01:12:17I'll figure this out.
01:12:18Please tell me we didn't do all this for nothing.
01:12:21No, we are not canceling the Yuletide Potluck, okay, guys?
01:12:26I'll fix this.
01:12:28But get to work, okay?
01:12:36Okay.
01:12:38Oh, hi, Jack.
01:12:40Have a seat.
01:12:42Want some coffee?
01:12:43No, thank you.
01:12:43I'm fine.
01:12:48Arya?
01:12:49What's going on?
01:12:52Your daughter is incredible.
01:12:54I tend to agree.
01:12:56Wow, is she stubborn.
01:12:59Well, she's headstrong.
01:13:01Independent.
01:13:03And she can be a little stubborn sometimes, too.
01:13:05Yeah.
01:13:06Yeah.
01:13:07And I like all of that.
01:13:11To be honest, I'm kind of the same way.
01:13:15Have you told her that yet?
01:13:17Yeah, I've tried, but...
01:13:18I mean, you know, Beth, it's just, it's not that easy.
01:13:22Well, the great things in life rarely are.
01:13:27Mom?
01:13:28We've got a big problem at the Veterans Center.
01:13:32The temperature has dropped four degrees since I got back here.
01:13:36We can't host families in the freezing cold.
01:13:40This is so last minute.
01:13:42And Christmas Day, too.
01:13:43And where can we go on such short notice?
01:13:44Well, uh, I have an idea.
01:13:50So, you know I convinced you to move the potluck to the Veterans Center ten years ago, right?
01:13:56Well, uh, I'm gonna suggest that you bring it back here.
01:14:02And listen, before you say no, think about it.
01:14:05I mean, we've done it before.
01:14:07It started here.
01:14:08But how are we going to get everything done in time?
01:14:10Don't worry about it.
01:14:11I've called volunteers.
01:14:13I have people on go.
01:14:15I...
01:14:16If it helps, I can do the work of five volunteers.
01:14:21Right.
01:14:24Okay, then.
01:14:29The Yuletide potluck is coming back home.
01:14:31Uh, right.
01:14:33All right, let's get to work.
01:14:34Let's get to work.
01:14:38Mom, do you...
01:14:45Hi.
01:14:49Welcome!
01:14:50Oh, Merry Christmas, guys.
01:14:51Come on, come on.
01:14:52You boys look so handsome.
01:14:53Right to the kitchen.
01:14:54Sergeant, Merry Christmas.
01:14:56Thank you for your service.
01:14:57Wow, you look beautiful.
01:15:01You look very handsome.
01:15:03So, um...
01:15:07I...
01:15:08Oh.
01:15:09Is it Charlie over here?
01:15:10Yeah, yeah, yeah.
01:15:11Merry Christmas.
01:15:12Merry Christmas.
01:15:13Come on in.
01:15:14Nice to see you.
01:15:14Merry Christmas.
01:15:15This way.
01:15:17Merry Christmas.
01:15:18You're right to the kitchen.
01:15:20Merry Christmas.
01:15:21Merry Christmas.
01:15:23This looks great.
01:15:25It's awesome.
01:15:26Hi.
01:15:26Hi.
01:15:26Oh, thank you.
01:15:29It's so good to see you.
01:15:31Hi.
01:15:32It's a fresh break.
01:15:33Everything got a rose.
01:15:34It's just like when your grandmother posted.
01:15:37She would be proud, Mom.
01:15:39Everyone, may I have your attention, please?
01:15:41Come join me in the living room.
01:15:44This is going to be a disaster to clean up tomorrow.
01:15:46Well, I could help.
01:15:48You free?
01:15:49I could be.
01:15:51Before we begin, my daughter Beth has something she wants to say.
01:15:55Well, he always puts me on the spot like that.
01:15:59Hello, everybody.
01:16:00First of all, welcome.
01:16:02I'm so happy you're here.
01:16:05I want to say thank you to my parents for hosting.
01:16:09You guys do a wonderful job, and it's a lot of hard work.
01:16:12So thank you.
01:16:13Also, a huge thank you to the volunteers, because this wouldn't have happened without you.
01:16:19You know who you are.
01:16:23This event is so special to my family and I.
01:16:27It's been with us since World War II, and we feel honored to be able to celebrate our
01:16:34men and women who serve this country.
01:16:37And I know it's a little different this year.
01:16:39It's not at the Veterans Center, but I think someone up there just wanted to bring it all
01:16:47back home.
01:16:47And so, Merry Christmas.
01:16:51Merry Christmas.
01:16:53I'd like to say something.
01:16:56Hi, everyone.
01:16:58I'm Jack.
01:16:59And, well, this is my first Christmas at the Garland Inn.
01:17:02And it's my first time celebrating everyone here, including my brother, First Sergeant
01:17:09Will Evans.
01:17:11You know, I've never known such incredible people as Hannah, Frank, and Beth, and so many
01:17:20others who have really poured their hearts and their souls into this event.
01:17:23So I just wanted to acknowledge them and their, well, their hard work and their dedication.
01:17:28And I wanted to thank you for making me feel so at home.
01:17:35I've been fortunate enough to travel all over the world to so many amazing places.
01:17:45But this, by far, is the best Christmas of my life.
01:17:50Anyway, um, so, Merry Christmas, everyone.
01:17:55Merry Christmas.
01:17:57Don't be shy, everyone.
01:17:59Grab a plate and dig in.
01:18:01Merry Christmas.
01:18:02Merry Christmas.
01:18:03Oh, that's the last of them.
01:18:26They're all gone.
01:18:29Hey, Mom, have you, uh, seen Jack?
01:18:33Um, I don't know, maybe up in his room?
01:18:35I don't know.
01:18:36Yeah.
01:18:37Hey, honey.
01:18:38We couldn't have done tonight without you.
01:18:41Love you, Mom.
01:19:03Dear Beth, not much for writing letters, but given our history with dates,
01:19:31I thought this might be a good idea, considering the only one that we had didn't end that well.
01:19:38I can see you rolling your eyes right now.
01:19:40Anyway, uh, here goes.
01:19:44This Christmas in Snow Ridge, I learned that home isn't just a location.
01:19:51I found home this Christmas not in a place, but in you.
01:19:55Beautiful, independent, loyal, kind, and yes, somewhat closed off, you.
01:20:03You know, in some ways, it's kind of been like looking in a mirror.
01:20:10Now, I know our situation is far from ideal.
01:20:13I travel most of the time, and we're busy running a successful cafe.
01:20:18At least, I hope it is.
01:20:22Wow.
01:20:23Uh, maybe I need to rethink this letter until I've tried the hot chocolate at Beth's Cafe.
01:20:30Now, look, I don't have any answers yet to many questions I know we both have.
01:20:35Let's be honest.
01:20:37You'll have a lot more than me.
01:20:39But here's what I do know.
01:20:40P.S.
01:20:44Beat me in our wreath.
01:20:56Where's my coat?
01:20:59There it is.
01:21:01What are you doing?
01:21:03Uh, I don't really know what I'm doing.
01:21:10I don't really know what I'm doing.
01:21:41You came.
01:21:45Well, yeah, I came.
01:21:46After that very confusing letter.
01:21:49I mean, I guess I just want to see how it all ends.
01:21:53That's the thing.
01:21:54I don't want this to end.
01:21:56That's what I've been trying to tell you.
01:21:58You have a really interesting way of telling me.
01:22:01What do you mean?
01:22:02I heard what you said to Natalie about how you couldn't wait to leave,
01:22:05and you don't like your ties, and Germany, here I come.
01:22:08But look, you don't owe me an explanation,
01:22:10so I don't actually even know why I'm here.
01:22:13Beth.
01:22:14What?
01:22:17Do you want to know the end of the conversation with Natalie?
01:22:21Do I?
01:22:22Yeah, you do.
01:22:25I said that was my life.
01:22:28Always moving, never looking back, but not anymore.
01:22:31Not since been here.
01:22:33Not since you.
01:22:34You said that?
01:22:37Yeah, I did.
01:22:41But why didn't you just tell me?
01:22:43I tried, in apparently a very unsuccessful way.
01:22:47Jack, how are we going to make this work?
01:22:49You know, I mean, aren't you getting ready to go somewhere?
01:22:52Okay, yes, I do have to leave for Germany on New Year's Day,
01:22:56but I'm going to be back before you know it.
01:22:58And until then, I'm kind of fond of writing really romantic letters.
01:23:06Look, I don't know exactly how this is going to work,
01:23:10but I really believe it can.
01:23:14And I would be a fool to leave here without trying.
01:23:17So, Beth Green, will you go on a second birthday with me?
01:23:26Hmm?
01:23:27Well, on one condition.
01:23:31Anything.
01:23:32You can't talk about concrete.
01:23:37Deal.
01:23:47Merry Christmas, Jack.
01:23:58Merry Christmas, Beth.
01:24:02What are you doing New Year's Eve?
01:24:04Oh, well, I have big, big plans.
01:24:07Well, I think you're going to have to break them.
01:24:10Ha ha ha.
01:24:17Oh, well, I think you're going to have to break them.
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