Why are we even talking about winter?
Good question.
Because we miss it, that's why. Duh.
We're not kidding. However much the teeth-chattering cold sunk into our bones only just months ago, we since warmed up. There are even times we look fondly upon the least favorite season of the year. We wouldn't be doing this whole online magazine thing if at least a part of each and every one of you didn't like some aspect of winter in Chicago, you know.
1. The sparkling snow in your lover’s hair when they arrive at your door
2. Using shoveling as an excuse for not working out
3. Ice skating in Millennium Park
4. The mesmerizingly bleak expanse of Lake Michigan covered in craggy sheets of ice
5. Judgment-free weight gain
6. Open windows when your apartment has free heat
7. Realizing how many hot toddies you’ve drank once you begin to slur your words
8. Unexpected cute things that could only happen in snow
9. Unashamedly making your car a sauna
10. A variety of boots
11. The majestically snowy pines
12. The surprise of someone with lots of hair taking off their hat
13. Romantic Christmas lights in Lincoln Park Zoo
14. Always carrying a bag full of everything you need
15. Turning the heat down so your room is cool at night
16. Shopping the Christkindlmarket in the Loop
17. A fresh breath of crisp, cold air
18. The pretty steam rising off the buildings downtown
19. Scarves
20. Mutually deciding to stay on the couch all day with your significant other
21. Food delivery just seems so much more magical
22. Wearing layers and layers of all your favorite clothes at once
23. Work getting canceled
24. Dogs that lose their minds playing in the snow
25. Bundled up little kids looking like cute, colorful walking marshmallow men
26. That weird feeling when your boogers freeze and you sniff
27. The need for absurdly hot showers and baths
Disagree with all of these? Fine, here: we'll even help you move to Los Angeles.