This Christmas season looks a little different for Joey and Tami Gooch of Yuma. It includes more red velvet, more white fur trim, and more joy than they ever expected.
The Gooches stepped into the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus for their very first time, after a long, tough year.
“I had two heart stents in March and Tami was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s in June,” Joey said.
The year had taken a drastic shift, and brought challenges they never expected to face so soon. They decided to do something different.
“Tami kept begging me to be Santa this year,” Joey said. “I thought that would be the best therapy she could have—bringing joy to the children.”
So he grew out his beard, let his hair go long, and before long realized, “I really did look like Santa.”
That small moment of light turned into something much bigger.
“It makes your heart melt to see the joy and innocence in a child’s eyes,” he said.
On Black Friday, the Gooches headed to Huntingdon in full Santa and Mrs. Claus dress, planning only a quick trip to Walmart for a TV deal.
The stop lasted nearly two hours.
“Kids and adults kept coming up,” Joey said. “I now know what the celebrities feel like when they go out in public.”
The Gooches offer in-home visits to families who want a more personal experience with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Joey handles the Santa magic, while Tami sings carols.
“She can sing like an angel,” he said.
On Thursday, December 4, the couple will serve as Grand Marshals at Clarksburg’s annual Christmas Parade.
For the Gooches, stepping into Christmas magic and sharing their light with the world has kept them moving forward through a difficult chapter in their lives.
And this season, their light is bright.
