Shannon here: Abingdon/Barbour author and current ACFW president, Cynthia Ruchti shares her real life romance, a glimpse into her fictional romance, and a chance to win a copy of A Door County Christmas, a Christmas novella collection, featuring Ruchti along with 3 other authors. Comment on any post dated Dec 13 – 18 for a chance to win. Deadline, midnight Central time, Dec 18. Here’s Cynthia:
1. What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?
A number of years ago, someone we both care deeply about made a heartbreakingly unwise decision that seemed an impossible tangle of devastation. My husband went to work and I stayed home trying to imagine how anything good could come of the crisis. Mid-morning, an email came from my husband, who wasn’t known for his computer skills. The message said simply, “Here I am. Lean on me.” It was the kind of message the Lord was trying to send me, too. I printed that email and still have it today. I view those simple words as among the most romantic and meaningful my husband has ever communicated to me.
2. What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
On one of his trips to Canada, I tucked little love notes into his Duluth pack, his sleeping bag, his food pack, his socks (the ones he wasn’t wearing at the moment), so while he was away, he’d know I was thinking about him and missing him. The notes made him blush when the tough lumberjack-guy on the trip with him saw Bill reading the messages.
3. Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
In Copper Harbor, MI, on a fall getaway a few years ago, we had dinner together at a history-rich lodge. Our small table by the huge stone fireplace seemed like the most romantic spot on earth that evening.
4. Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant?
That Copper Harbor restaurant was a place we’ve only visited once. But a favorite romantic restaurant we’ve returned to several times is the White Gull Inn in Door County, WI. The charm of the ancient building, the ambiance of the linen tablecloths and 19th century skirted and aproned wait staff (the STAFF isn’t that old, but their garb is created to look like they stepped out of the mid-1800s, and the exceptional food help create a romantic atmosphere. But the joy of being just far enough away from the normalness of home and looking across the table into the pewter eyes of the man I committed to spend my life with always takes my breath away…until the entrée arrives!
5. Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
“God Gave Me You” contains the lyrics, “God gave me you for the ups and downs. God gave me you for the days of doubt.” Every time that song comes on the radio, we look at each other and wink or poke each other in the ribs.
6. What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
One year he purchased two dozen roses and stuck them into the Christmas tree. He had another gift for me too and it was way too many minutes before I realized that the tree was packed full of beautiful, deep-red roses.
7. What’s the most romantic present you ever bought your spouse?
Only he would see it as romantic, but on one of my book tours, I found a hand-carved canoe paddle and gave it to him for no good reason but love.
8. Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?
Honestly, Door County, Wisconsin, the subject of this Christmas novella, is one of our favorite romantic vacation destinations. It has a wonderful combination of things to appeal to both of us—the beautiful natural setting with shorelines and water, stunning sunsets, hiking trails through cedar forests, plus artistry and unique gift shops (for me, not him), and fun restaurants with choices like pumpkin sage soup and cherry stuffed French toast.
9. What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
Bill takes my hand when we pray, whether over a meal at home, out to eat, when praying for our kids, or in church. It’s a natural reaction now. When we pray, holding hands signifies that we’re uniting our hearts in a unison act. The two are one. It gets me every time.
10. How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he/she was the one?
I met Bill when I was 11 and he was 12. Our eyes met across the hall at the elementary school. He, even at 12, was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. When I found out he went to my church, I was a goner. We couldn’t officially “date” until we were much older, but he brought me candy bars at church (I blame my weight problems on puppy love) and we walked to school together. We were married two years out of high school…and that wait seemed like FOREVER! We’ve been married 38 years.
11. What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
Jordan crawled on his knees to try to rescue Amanda.
About Cynthia: Cynthia Ruchti is the writer/producer of the daily radio broadcast THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME and editor of the ministry’s Backyard Friends magazine. She is currently president of American Christian Fiction Writers. Her debut novel–THEY ALMOST ALWAYS COME HOME (Abingdon Press)–released in May 2010 and has been nominated RT Book Reviewers’ Book of the Year. Her story, “The Heart’s Harbor,” appears in the Christmas novella collection A DOOR COUNTY CHRISTMAS from Barbour Publishing. She and her plot-tweaking husband live just a few minutes away from their three kids and five grandkids in the heart of Wisconsin. Learn more: www.cynthiaruchti.com
www.hopethatglowsinthedark.com
Purchase Links:
http://www.barbourbooks.com/product/Door-County-Christmas,7976.aspx?Tab=Books
http://www.deepershopping.com/item/various/door-county-christmas-4-in-1/1697212.html
Come back Dec 15 for Barbour/Door County author, Rachael Phillips’ real life romance.
Awesome! I loved all of Cynthia’s answers! Sounds like they have a wonderful relationship – a great role model for others. Can’t wait to read her book
Thanks Kim! Sometimes in the ordinariness of life, we all need to remind ourselves “What’s so good about it?” Reflecting on these romantic remembrances and others like it that happen almost every day help me celebrate the joy of being married to a man who loves God and who belongs to me!
Let’s hear it for the White Gull Inn, Door County, red roses and carved canoe paddles! Definitely romance, Wisconsin style. Wow–11 and 12?! We met in high school, and I thought we were young!
I’m sure your sweetheart treasures your smile.
I definitely agree with Rachael. Cynthia has the sweetest smile. She radiates kindness and gentleness.
I’d like to know how much y’all had to work together to write the novellas. Is each story separate, or was there a continuity theme?
There are several elements of continuity in the stories. One is that the innkeeper, Lola–who drafted my main character Amanda into running the inn in her absence–gave each of the single women in the stories an almost-dormant Christmas cactus with the promise that love, like the cactus, would bloom for the coming holidays. Both love and the cactus looked hopeless for each of them. Each of us authors located our stories in a different little village along the western shores–the heavy tourist area–of Door County. So although our characters frequented some of the same places, the flavor of each village was distinct. Each of the characters were invited to Lola’s legendary Christmas Tea, so they shared that event in common, whether the story allowed them to get there or not! And each story also shares a humorous element. It was a joy reading each others’ work chapter by chapter and noting how our minds thought so much alike that we had to be intentional about not duplicating. It was a fun project.
I have to echo all the comments about that great smile!
I’ve met Cynthia’s “tall, dark and handsome.” They’re so sweet together and I know their marriage is an inspiration to people who know them.
Shannon, you asked how we worked together. Cynthia explained it well, but I have to say there were times it didn’t seem like work at all!
Cynthia, that “Here I am. Lean on me,” choked me up. So beautiful. You can tell the two of you share a God-centered, special love.
Cynthia and Becky,
Thanks for explaining. One more question. Did y’all all know each other before the novella?
Lorna,
That choked me up too.
That note is taped to my file cabinet. When I lean on my husband, which is frequently, we make quite a sight. I’m 5’4″…well, okay, slightly less than that now…and he’s 6’3″. He reaches the things from the top cabinets and I dig for things in the bottom cupboards. A perfect match!
I knew the other three authors from Wisconsin connections (Becky) and ACFW (Becky, Eileen, and Rachael). Eileen blessed me with her kindness and prayers. Rachael blessed me with her friendship and servantheart. And Becky blessed me with her sisterness. I think I introduced the others to each other via cyberspace. Then we connected at ACFW conferences when only three of the four could attend (so our “group” photos have often had one missing!). But we had an absolutely glorious couple of days in Door County researching and bonding. Unforgettable experience.
ACFW is great for making friends who get you. They hear voices too. I blog on a group blog with nine other writers. Seven of us were at ACFW this year. Talk about fun.