Christmas is tradition. I move heaven and earth to be home for at least 24 hours depending on tour schedule at the beginning of December but if that does not work then I know Jon gets us all home by the 10th as our band Christmas weekend is usually the weekend closest to the 14th. Teri and I go pick out the trees as soon as I get home.
My husband is as excited as Richie Teri thinks as she is pulling on her leather jacket that Rich got her for Christmas a few years ago. I love this present so much. It’s a driving coat length and keeps me warm. Then she goes and grabs her digital camera and checks the battery. Satisfied I then sprits a touch of Perfume and head out the bedroom. She is waylaid by Jen Rich’s PA. “Ter I need Rich to sign the payroll checks do you know where he is?” “Yeah probably in the car itching to blow the horn to get me to hurry up. Today is pick out the trees day.” Jen smiles knowing how much this means to them both and says “ok I’ll just leave these on his desk and then I am off myself. I’ll be back through the 14th then I am home to California for the holidays. Teri smiles at Jen. The poor girl just cannot get used to the cold that New England offers this time of year. “I’ll tell my man the checks are on his desk to sign tonight. “ “Great I will paper clip the important ones like my paycheck and put them on top.” “Perfect. Enjoy your evening. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Teri says as she is moving down the hall to the front door.
Outside the December sunshine on this Tuesday late morning is blinding. Teri puts her sunglasses on then takes her camera and grabs a few great shots of Rich getting impatient before he knows she is there. They are perfect but she does not say anything about the pictures as she calls to Rich that she is there and does he need anything before they take off? Rich gets out of the car to open his wife’s door.
As Rich swings the car out of the gates and they head to DD for coffee he admits “Honey I did not sleep a wink last night knowing we were picking out the trees today.” “I know baby I was in the bed with you and felt you tossing all night long I figured that was what you were restless about. And with you cutting our morning jog at half an hour was confirmation I was correct.” “Though you know as much as I do that I love shower sex and it was amazing as usual this morning baby.” Rich replies. I smile when I glance at Rich as he has a grin on his face just too excited for words. They pull into DD and Rich asks if I want anything more than coffee. “No hon I am fine just the coffee please.” Rich orders for both of them and swings around to the window to pay. “Ter Jen called the tree farm the other day so you know media will be out in full force.” “I know they usually are and I noticed no reporters were outside the gate so I am assuming they are all at the tree farm.” Rich nods his agreement as he pays for the coffee and hands both cups to Teri which she puts in the cup holders of the Jag that Rich decides to use for this outing.”
The trip to the farm is uneventful and Teri puts a Christmas music CD on. Both sing to the CD with harmony and the time passes quickly between singing and joking about how they are going to buy a 25 foot tree this year. At the farm Rich parks and comes around to open Teri’s door. She hands out the coffee to him and then gets out herself with Rich’s help while smiling to the reporters and camera crews there. Rich hands Ter her coffee and then takes her free hand after they wave to the reporters and walk to the main building to find Leo the owner of the farm who will help them as usual find the perfect trees.
“Rich I need to order the Garland and Wreaths should we do that now?” “Can we get the trees first Baby?” Teri smiles at her excited husband and says “Of course whatever you want dear.” Leo comes over to welcome them back with big hugs for both and a kiss for Teri’s Cheek. “Are you ready?” he asks Knowing the Sambora’s he has a pocket full of tree tags to use as the two keep finding the ‘perfect tree’ and then the next perfect tree and then the next perfect tree and so on. Off the three of them go into the farm. Rich says he wants a 15 foot tree this year but Leo knows the Great room and Rich’s excitement and kindly says “Richie we go through this every year the spot by the French doors where you place the tree will not hold anything that big. The vaulted ceiling is at its lowest point there. Rich pretends to pout and Teri laughs “Rich darling we can get the 15 foot tree if you promise to cut it down to size and not on the deck like last time” She laughs and says to Leo. “Have I ever told you about how my lumberjack husband cut the tree outside our first year at the compound ON THE DECK she emphasis’s and Mr. thing cut through the tree AND the railing?” They all laugh and Rich says “Well it was my first time cutting a tree so give me some slack” as he laughs. The photographers are capturing the laughter the three are having. They start throwing questions out at them. Rich squeezes Teri’s arm which is close to his and they turn and wave to the photographers. Rich stalls them by saying this is his and Teri’s quality time and would they mind doing a few questions on the way out as the two of them have some trees to pick out. The reporters agree as the Sambora’s are always very generous with their time so they go back to their cars and vans knowing this process can take some time. Someone suggests coffee and off they go without photographers who are allowed to follow the group to pick out the tree.
I never did this until Teri Rich is thinking as they begin to walk the farm. He looks at his wife who is in a conversation with Leo and moves to her side to take her hand as they walk. Teri smiles up at Rich and continues her conversation while holding tightly onto her husband’s hand. “I love when he does little things like take my hand while we walk” She says to Leo then continues their discussion about how his family is doing. Rich is lost in thought and that is ok. The whole Christmas season is an exciting time for him. His parents had a fake tree and his ex got their place in California professionally decorated. It always felt wrong and over the years with Teri he realizes that it felt cold. What we do in Connecticut feels warm and makes home even more special. After the divorce Rich looked on their house as just that a house. Even when they were married he thought he had a home but it was only a house. Teri and he and the kids have a home. There is a big difference which he loves. Teri once again shows me what a home can be and is. I love it
