A childhood belief about father christmas

I've always believed in Santa. Even now, at 22, I say I believe in Santa becaue I like the idea of him. But here's why I never really STOPPED believing. There was an old man named Louie in my hometown who played Santa at the mall every year. If there is one human being on the planet who totally could be the real santa, Louie is it. He was kind of short and round with a long white beard and white hair.. even had the rosy nose thing going on. He MADE TOYS. His license plate said Santa. Here's the kicker: Louie went to my church and used the same bank as my parents. So... when my parents tried to tell me Santa was fictional . . how could I believe them? I mean.. the man sat behind me in church every week!