How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How early in life was your magical view of the world crushed?

I was lucky to have this enchanting perspective of life for the first 13 years of my life.

That’s right 13…and proud. Every time December came along at school, I would debate all my friends about Santa’s existence till they gave up…maybe if they had believed in Santa longer they wouldn’t give up so easily, ah-ha! At least that’s what I tell myself every day to get up in the morning…

Nevertheless, that time came around when my mother sat me down and told me the truth after I asked for a left-handed guitar painted in the colors of the Colombian flag...identical to rock star Juanes’s electric guitar, one of my most admired artists at the time and still is. However, not knowing how unrealistic this request was at the time—thinking Santa had the power to build any item that could pop into my hopeful head—I had no idea my mother would tell me Santa was not real…but that the idea was real.

That’s like being in a relationship and only one person knowing it was.

I never did get angry at my mom for “lying” to me though, because in a way, it helped me become who I am: asking for an unattainable guitar but still wanting it anyway…only this time I have to put on the red suit and get it myself.

Merry early Christmas!

Intern: Shannon Donev

Juanes saluting good luck to my future endevours

Photo: Getty Images