Yes, Valentine's Day is almost here, so we Seekers thought we'd take a day to talk about love and romance. I mean, we're all either romance readers and/or writers, so it only makes sense, right?
Love and romance have been around since the beginning of time. Adam and Eve were the first hero and heroine on the scene. Song of Solomon could give one the vapors. And while the perception of love has been distorted over time, we want to celebrate it in its purest form, the way God created it. The sweetness, the silliness, the kind of love that endures through the tough times.
Here are some of the Seekers favorite romantic moments:
Erica Vetsch - My husband took me out to celebrate me signing my first book contract, and he said, "I knew it was a matter of when, not if, you would succeed." That blew me away that he would have that much confidence in me, especially when self-confidence isn't one of my strengths! I love that man!
Mindy Obenhaus - On our childrens' birthdays, my husband always brings me a dozen roses. He says it's because I did all the work and without me, they wouldn't be here. Makes me fall in love with him all over again.
Ruth Logan Herne - Jimmy had developed Alzheimer's in his late sixties. By his late seventies he no longer remembered his wife or his kids or where he was. Every day was a surprise of introductions. "Good morning, Jimmy." Gina was always in the kitchen first. Lights on. Coffee made. "You ready for toast and coffee?"
"Don't mind if I do," he'd say and sit himself down at the table. "Who are you again?"
"Gina."
"Gina." He nodded as if that was the first time he'd heard the name. "Well thanks for coming by to help an old fella. You got a boyfriend, Gina?"
She'd smile, even though she'd answered this question many times before. "A husband. I married that boyfriend of mine a long time back."
He'd drink some coffee. Have some toast. And then he'd look her way. "If I were twenty years younger and you weren't married, I'd be askin' you out myself. I used to be married, too, you know."
She'd take a breath and swallow hard.
"Folks say she was nice. And pretty. And she loved me a lot."
"I'm sure she did. Do you remember her at all?"
He'd shake his head. "I don't, no. But if she was anything like you, I must have been a very happy man."
Gina used to tell him who she was, try to jar his memory, but she'd stopped doing that a long time ago. Now she'd just smile and pat his shoulder. "I expect you were, Jimmy. I expect you were."
Jimmy died less than two years later, and he never stopped appreciating that kind woman who made his coffee and toast every morning and his supper at night.
The woman he'd married fifty-one years before.
Jan Drexler - The most romantic date I've ever heard of was one of the first dates of a young couple I know. They live in the Black Hills, and both enjoy hiking. For this date they decided to hike one of the most scenic trails that ended at an overlook. When they reached the overlook, the young suitor looked around and said, "This looks like a great place for a picnic." The young lady said, "Yeah, we should plan to do that sometime."
Then he opened his backpack and spread-out lunch for them
both - all planned as a surprise for her.
Many years ago, when I had two babies under two, my husband came home with a huge bouquet of roses to celebrate me finishing my book and submitting it to the Golden Heart contest. He also drove me to the huge post office in midtown Manhattan that was open until midnight (with babies in their carseats) so that I could get all the copies mailed in by the deadline. That book was a GH finalist. :)
Funny - For Mother's Day he bought me purple statice (you know? the weeds!) He knew I liked lilacs, but he couldn't remember what flower - just that they were purple. So, he came home with the statice. We never let him live that down and I always got lilacs after that. My daughter bought them for me after he passed away.
Now we'd like to hear some of your favorite romantic moments, real or fictional, for a chance to win a $22 Amazon gift card. And be sure to keep it clean.
My husband loves me deeply and truly. This I know. But he isn't the kind of guy who says much, he doesn't bring me flowers, and we agreed long ago that it was best for everyone involved that I buy my own gifts for birthdays and holidays. For our 25th wedding anniversary, I found sitting on my writing desk a huge, lavish display of two dozen long stem red roses. In the small, plain white box sitting beside the vase was one perfect,intricate, incredibly delicate blown glass red rose with green stem and leaves. My husband had gone to the mall to get it (the man has an almost phobic aversion to shopping) because, he said with his heart in his eyes, the others would fade away, but that one would last forever, just like us.
ReplyDeleteTerri, this is such a sweet story. Our men sure can surprise us sometimes. I'm sure that blown glass rose has a place of honor, not only in your heart, but your home.
DeleteOh, dang.... Now I'm going to go smack Farmer Dave!!!!!
DeleteRuthy, you made me fall of my chair, laughing.
DeleteThat's a sweet story, Terri Lynn.
DeleteOne year for Valentine's Day our two daughters cooked a candlelight dinner for us at our house. They sent us in different directions so that when we got home it was a big surprise when we walked in the door! Family love. Happy Valentine's Day to all!
ReplyDeleteKaren, what sweet daughters you have. Planning a date night for Mom and Dad. What an amazing gift.
DeleteThis is charming!!!!!!
DeleteThese are all so wonderful ladies. Thanks for sharing them. This is kinda funny/romantic. When our kiddos were 2 and 4, they went shopping and for my birthday had bought me a bread maker. I had wanted one since we got married. The funny part was when I saw it I started to cry I was so happy. Our 4 year old didnt understand why mom was crying with something she wanted. Our 2 year old saw mom cry and her brother cry so she started to cry. I started laughing and that made the kids cry more. Poor dad had a tough time getting them to stop. When all the crying was over, my husband gave me a huge hug and kiss and said "lets all go make some bread" Now there were happy squeals from the kids and myself. We had such a fun time in the kitchen. This is my husbands level of romance. So it was huge. quilting dash lady at comcast dot net
ReplyDeleteLori, I'm so glad Daddy swooped in to save the day. Isn't it funny how kids respond to us? I'd be curious to know if the 4 yo will remember that as he/she gets older. What a precious memory.
DeleteOh, that's a wonderful story! I can totally see it happening, Lori!!!
DeleteWe have been happily married for many years.....never dreamed we would be married on national TV show in NYC.. Bride & Groom, back then!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jackie. You know, most brides are nervous on their wedding day, but when that wedding day is on national television? I can't imagine. But oh, the memories you must have.
DeleteOh my stars, for real?????
DeleteJackie, what TV show?
DeleteRuthy's story made me cry.
ReplyDeleteThe brat.
Me, too, Jan. I agree.
DeleteMy dad has the hardest time buying my mom presents so he usually get her gift cards, but he always adds something small so that she can unwrap the gift. There was one time where he was walking around the store trying to find something that she would like
ReplyDeleteAngeline, I think part of your story got cut off. Don't leave us hanging! ;)
DeleteMy husband occasionally brings me flowers - for no other reason, but that he loves me. He will clean the kitchen, do the laundry, help around the house, even if I don't ask. That's how he shows me how much he loves me.
ReplyDeleteRuthy's story made me cry too.
Edwina, I'm a firm believer that cleaning is a love language, and it sounds like your husband knows yours. Kudos to him.
DeleteCleaning is the sweetest of love languages..... Just having someone else step in??? Golden!
DeleteSo...my great-great grandparents, Will and Blanche Price, eloped and married on the Harper's Ferry Bridge. That sounds romantic, right? And it is to a certain extent. But...the reason they married on the bridge (and out of their home state of VA) was so Blanche's parents could not annul the marriage. Blanche's parents did not approve of Will, who was a school teacher, and Will had been courting Blanche's older sister right before he eloped with Blanche. :D
ReplyDeleteOh, Elizabeth, that's a great story. I mean, like, book-worthy.
DeleteAgreed to book-worthy! Oh my word.... Will, Will, Will..... :)
DeleteIm going to say getting a heart shaped box with little pieces of paper inside. Each piece had "something I love about you" written on it. One to read each day or whenever feeling down.
ReplyDeleteOOoohh...Tonya, that is so sweet!
DeleteNote to self: Marry a man who writes. :)
DeleteWhat fun to read all these comments!
ReplyDeleteMy husband is so good about helping me around the house and running errands when I'm not feeling up to it. He usually doesn't make grand gestures of love, but the little things really show his love. Occasionally, he will write a heartfelt message in a card.
Winnie, the grand gestures are memorable, but it's those little things that impress us the most. ;)
DeleteI agree with Mindy! I love this, Winnie!!!
DeleteMy story goes back to when my husband and I first started dating. He had me over to his house for dinner, the first time I had been there. Later in the evening I went into the bathroom and there was a bouquet of a dozen roses. I thought he was quite the decorator until I realized they were for me! (I was a little slow.) The funny thing was he kept asking me if I needed more water. He was trying to make sure I needed to use the bathroom!
ReplyDeleteSandy, that is both sweet and funny. I wonder why he put them in the bathroom instead of on the table. Oh, well, either way it's a great story.
DeleteMindy, I think it was more that he wanted it to be a real surprise.
DeleteMy hubby isn’t much of a shopper and rarely buys gifts but he leaves me love note’s sometimes on the coffee pot before he goes to work and he calls me at lunchtime to make sure I’m ok.
ReplyDeleteLucy, a love note can go a long way. I'm not sure I even know what one looks like. ;)
Delete