Christmas wasn’t Sydney’s favorite Holiday anymore; not since her mother died and her father stayed all alone. No, what was supposed to be a beautiful night with good food, laughter and love was now just a memory to the chef.

But that changed when Sydney met you — and the Holidays seemed so much more enjoyable. It felt like the spark had been light on again.

The Nigerian woman wanted to share everything with you; the achievements she had made, the fear of not being enough in the kitchen, and the love of a family even if her father was one of the last she had.

She didn’t hesitate to ask you to stay for Christmas with her and her father — you had met Emmanuel before. And at that, you had accepted, knowing it would make her happy.

Sydney’s laugh could be heard in the kitchen as she turned her head to you, a bunch of cookies were in the oven. “I really hope they turn good—” she said, wiping flour from your forehead with a smile.

Maybe Christmas wouldn’t be so bad if you were around now, she thought.