Dear Santa,

I know it’s been a while. I’m sorry I haven’t been writing these letters, but, just between you and me, I’m a believer even if my parents, friends and literally every other person in my life thinks you’re just a childhood tall–tale.

I guess I need to reintroduce myself.

My name is Alex Li, I am 17 years old and live in beautiful Thousand Oaks, CA.

I hope you, the elves and the reindeer are staying warm up there. It reached a freezing 40 degrees in Thousand Oaks today!

I have been neither naughty or nice this year, but a little bit of both. I hope you’ll turn a blind eye to all my shortcomings, because I’m going to better myself f next year and cement my place on the nice list.

For Christmas this year, I would love a pet dragon.

Yes. A dragon.

I know I asked you for a dragon in kindergarten, but you never gave it to me, and as it’s my last year in high school, I thought it would only be fitting if you made my dream come true before I graduate.

Throw in an acceptance letter too—not from one of the colleges I’m applying to though. I want one dropped off by an owl from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Have you heard of it? It’s a pretty lesser–known liberal arts school. Like Cornell.

Finally Santa, Mr. Claus, the guardian of the North, thank you for protecting children all around the world. You know we will always believe in you, and we know you will always be there to protect us from our fears—like spiders.

Love,

Alex