Snow Way It’s A Snow Day!

The other day, I wrote about awaiting a snowstorm here in Charleston, South Carolina—a rare event in this normally sunny city. Well, the storm came, and while it only dropped a few inches of snow, that’s enough to shut everything down here for a couple of days. The last time Charleston even had snow was back in 2018, literally a month before my wife and I moved here. The city was shut down for almost four days that time! We began to question our decision (in jest of course), we’d been fleeing the snow, not wanting more!

We stuck it out though and have been snow free for the last seven years. Both of my boys were born here in Charleston, and at just 4 and 2 years old, they’ve never experienced snow. In Ohio we would have snow every winter and to not have to deal with it has been nice. Seeing it on the weather radar was actually a bit exciting. I’ll be honest, snow lost some of its charm for me when I got older. As a kid, it was magical! Getting to build Igloo’s and snowmen, snow ball fights and sledding. It was always a bit of fun! As a grown-up, it became a hazard. It wasn’t about play and days off anymore. It meant figuring out how to get to work safely, I had to shovel the driveway, and dealing with frozen roads. Brief moments of past inconvenience bubbled up in my head and threatened to taint the day. For my boys though, this would be something entirely new. I owed it to them to try and make it fun so as not to ruin the magic a snow day can bring.

I got to take a moment with my kids and experience snow through their eyes. Two boy’s who had never seen it out side of a movie. They had an absolute blast! We spent the morning outside making snow angels, stomping through the slush (which, to them, is apparently much more fun than puddles), and just enjoying the novelty of it all. Watching their excitement and wonder made me appreciate it that much more. The memories of shoveling driveways and slowly making my way down the roads, melted in to fond memories of the fun that a snow day can bring.

Seeing their joy reminded me of what made snow so magical in the first place.

Now, as we sit on day two of being snowed in, some of those old feelings about snow are creeping back like how quickly it loses its appeal when you’re stuck inside. But as a dad, I’ve gotten to see a whole new side of snow days. Those memories of the boys playing sit like a warm fire keeping the negative cold thoughts away. There’s something so sweet about bundling up two little boys who are so eager to run into the cold for just a few minutes. Big fluffy hats, tiny gloves, and quick dashes back inside for warmth. We’ve been cuddling on the couch, watching movies under cozy blankets, and enjoying cups of hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course). My wife made the first batch, which has now led to countless requests for “just one more cup” in the hours since.

The unexpected downtime has even given my wife and me a chance to tackle some long-overdue organization. We’ve sorted through files, reorganized the pantry, and even tackled the garage. It’s been a reminder of how much preparation and small efforts can improve daily life—an oddly satisfying accomplishment on an icy day.

I know the snow will thaw soon (hopefully not too soon!), but for now, I’m soaking in these moments. Watching my boys discover the magic of snow has been a gift. A little reminder that even something as ordinary as weather can feel extraordinary when seen through the eyes of a child.

One little snowflake at a time.

K