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Shannon here: This week, my awesome critique partner, Brenda Anderson share’s her real-life romance. Usually, I end with the wedding story, but Brenda’s romance continues after the wedding, so we’re starting off with their tearful ceremony. She’s helping me give away another copy of White Roses. Leave a comment on any post this week by August 14, 8:00 PM Central to be in the drawing. Here’s Brenda:
Wedding Tears I love music: singing, playing guitar or piano, or just listening to other musicians. My whole family loves to sing, and we even harmonize with each other. My best friends are musicians. I believe God uses music to speak to the heart. My husband, however, grew up in a family that absolutely cannot sing. They appreciate music, and most play some instrument, but when they try to sing? Cringe. If you enjoy listening to ten sliding keys sung at once, then you’d appreciate their rendition of Happy Birthday. It’s seriously painful. Ironically, my husband can sing. So, when planning our wedding, we knew it would be filled with music. I tapped my two best friends and an aunt to sing prelude solos. My aunt and a friend shared organ duties, while another played flute. I had a quartet sing Lutkin’s The Lord Bless You and Keep You. We had a couple of congregational hymns, and I even sang Roger Copeland’s The Bridal Prayer immediately before the processional. We also had a duet planned following the lighting of the unity candle. The pastor and the pianist were the only people who knew who the singers were. My husband and I lit the candle then took each other’s hand as the pianist played the introduction to He Has Chosen You For Me by Pat Terry. Marvin and I took a deep breath … then started singing to each other. Unbeknownst to us was the waterfall of tears dropping all around the church. My mother-in-law said she kept looking for the singers then finally realized it was her son singing. She teared up. My bridesmaids all cried. The groomsmen sniffled. Even the pastor wiped tears. And yes, the video has proof. The duet was our gift to each other and to the congregation. 23 years later, people still remember our wedding. I’m thinking maybe two years from now, when we celebrate 25 years together, we’ll have to try it again. About Brenda:
Like so many authors, I always dreamed of writing a novel, but for many years that’s all it was: a dream. Practicality said that there was no career in writing, so why waste my time?
Fast forward several years later. In the spring of 2005 I was a stay-at-home mom whose three kids were in school full time. (What else is a literature major to do with her degree?) I could do the “practical” thing and get a job, help support the family. I even picked up an application from the local Christian book store.
Then I felt the nudging. The LifeKeys course at our church taught me that God gave us our passions for a reason. Our passions had a purpose. I’d never truly believed that before, but now I gave it consideration. My imagination had never stopped; the stories had become more real, more complex.
It was time to write. Two weeks later I confessed to my husband that I spent my “free” time writing. He told me: “It’s about time.” How’s that for confirmation?
So now, it’s two years and three completed novels later, all stories written in a partnership with God, stories I believe He placed within my psyche for a purpose. It’s my prayer, as I record the stories God has given me, that my words will do them justice, that others will hear the message God wants me to convey.
Come back August 11th for part 2 of Brenda’s story.
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[…] Brenda Anderson: Real Life Romance (part 1) […]
Thanks, Shannon, for inviting me here today. It’s so much fun revisiting the wedding, especially since we celebrated 23 years together yesterday. I might just have to watch that video again.
Blessings!
Brenda
I learned something new…you are writing novels? Are they published? How does one get a hold of them?
Hi Cindy!
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll bet the music at your wedding was phenomenal. Did you & Jeff sing?
I’ve actually completed (4) novels now. I’m still unpublished, but someday (with the help of great critique partners like Shannon) I’ll convince the editors how great my stories are. 😀
~Brenda
Just reading this had me in tears again!! Not a good thing when I’m reading this at work. That was so special that you and Marvin could sing together at your wedding. It was a special touch that I haven’t seen at any other wedding. Congrats on 23 years !!
Congratulations on your anniversary, Brenda! My 27th is coming up Aug. 12! Loved reading about your wedding – I would have been one of the teary ones, I’m sure!!
Sorry about that Gayle. 🙂 It really was a unique moment we’ll always treasure.
Congrats in advance, Regina. 27 years is something to be applauded. I’ll bet you had beautiful music at your wedding too.
Brenda,
It’s just the perfect way to celebrate your anniversary by sharing your story here. So glad it worked out this way.
We celebrated 26 this year. When God’s in the center, longevity is so much easier.
Brenda,
How awesome and special that you and Marv could share that special moment. Like you, music played a big role in our wedding. What most people that were with us that day don’t know is during the solos and duets, I often was singing to Paul. Unlike Marv, Paul truly can’t carry a tune, but I could carry the tune for both of us, so I sang the words to him.
Thank you for a beautiful reminder of a special day.
Debbie
Shannon – you are so right. Keeping God in the center is vital for a healthy marriage.
Hi Debbie – So glad you stopped by & shared in our wedding memories.
I LOVED your wedding. How cool that you were singing to Paul. If the congregation had known, we all would have been in tears.
Thanks Brenda!
I do remember the two of you singing to each other. It was a very special gift the two of you shared and performed for your guests. Lanny and I just celebrated our 21st anniversary last week too. Congratulations on the 23 years!
Hi Connie – I didn’t remember that your anniversary was so close to ours. Congratulations on your 21 years together! I hope Lanny treated you to something special. 🙂
Awesome!
I still remember you all (Renanah) singing at our wedding. What a wonderful time that was for us.
Thanks, Rosemary.
Hi Sarah – I think your wedding was the last time we sang with Renanah (Hebrew for “singing triumphantly.”) That was a joyous day!
I really enjoyed this. Waiting for the next part
Thanks, Patti. We’ll get to read part II tomorrow. 🙂 I’m curious, myself, to see which story Shannon’s going to post next.