Pretty soon, we’ll be surrounded by that magical white blanket we call snow. I guess you could say I have a love-hate relationship with winter. On one hand, I think back to my childhood and all the joy winter brought me. There’s something enchanting about waking up to a world transformed overnight—everything sparkling and soft.


Mornings were all about bundling up in layers of snow gear, racing outside, and heading straight to the backyard field to work on the snow fort village my friends and I had been building for days. We took our work seriously, carving tunnels and walls, shaping out rooms, and defending our fort from imaginary invaders. After school, we’d hop off the bus, throw our backpacks down, and rush back to the field, eager to add more before the daylight faded. We’d come inside with rosy cheeks, wet mittens, and boots caked in snow.


Winter felt endless and full of adventure back then. There was tobogganing down steep hills, the thrill of skiing for the first time, the wonder of twinkling Christmas lights, and cozy fires in the snow.


Life was simple—just pure fun and excitement wrapped up in the magic of the season.


Now, as an adult, winter looks different. It’s harder to see that magic through the everyday grind. Scraping ice off my car in the morning, shoveling the driveway for what feels like the hundredth time, and braving below-zero temperatures tend to overshadow winter’s charm. Some days, it feels like more work than wonder.


But the beauty is still there—hidden, perhaps, but waiting to be noticed. It’s in the sparkle of freshly fallen snow, the quiet of a forest walk with snowflakes drifting lazily down, and the comforting warmth of a thermos full of coffee. I love how snow muffles the world, making everything feel still and peaceful. And I especially love seeing my kids experience the same joy I felt as a child—that’s what truly reminds me why I love this season so much.


So, am I excited for winter, or will I spend most of it bundled up on the couch binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy until spring? Honestly, I think that will depend on the day. Winter is unpredictable like that—beautiful and challenging all at once. But maybe that’s exactly what makes it so memorable.

Winter family portrait in snowy forest setting with evergreen trees.
A pair walking their black and white dog down a snowy forest path on a winter day.
Two people sharing a warm embrace in a snow-covered winter forest setting.
A family sitting together with their black dog in a snowy winter forest.
A playful black and white dog standing between legs of people in winter boots on snowy ground.
A group posing with their black dog against a backdrop of snow-covered trees in winter.