Cynthia Ruchti – Romantic Real Life Interview – Part 2 of 3

Shannon here: Women’s Fiction author, Cynthia Ruchti shares insight into her real life romance plus a chance to win a copy of her latest release, When the Morning Glory Blooms. Comment on any post dated April 22 – 26 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: May 4th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Cynthia:

• How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he 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 more than 40 years. 

• How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one? 

I’m thinking it was the same day, but he might deny it!

•  Who is most romantic, you or your spouse? 

In the early days of our marriage, I was the most romantic. I think the tables have turned now. We’re tag-teaming. 

• What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you? 

When I was flat on my back on the couch (twice) with a herniated disc, Bill concocted a way to use a five gallon bucket and a big black garbage bag to wash my hair for me while I was stuck on the couch. That simple act meant so much. There have been many others, but that’s the one that came to mind right now. Maybe it’s because I need to wash my hair. 

• What is the most caring thing you’ve ever done for your spouse? 

At six foot three, it’s really hard for Bill to reach his toes. So I’m his pedicure person. At our age, that isn’t as fun as it sounds. But it’s the equivalent of the loving act of washing his feet. 

• Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse? 

Bill said “I love you” first. We were so young, but I waited to hear it from him before I immediately blurted it back!

•  Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon? 

You have to understand that fishing and hunting are very, very important to my husband. And he loved it when I agreed to have our date be out in the middle of the Mississippi in a bass boat, or trudging through the woods looking for squirrels and rabbits. He picked our honeymoon spot. It ended with an “A,” he said. In my ultra-romantic, not-necessarily-realistic mind I envisioned “BermudA” or “Costa RicA” or “BahamA” or “FloridA” as a destination. The real spot? A resort called “Angler’s Wood” in MinnesotA. We fished for walleyes at least twice a day. The cottage was adorable. At the time, I spent too much time thinking about how much it did not resemble FloridA.
About Cynthia: Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction, speaking for women’s events and retreats, and writers’ events and retreats, from a history of 33 years as writer/producer of The Heartbeat of the Home radio broadcast. She currently serves as Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Her books have been honored through RT Reviewers’ Choice, Retailers’ Choice, Family Fiction Readers’ Choice, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and as a Carol Award finalist. Her recent release–When the Morning Glory Blooms (Abingdon Press Fiction)–received a top ranking of 4.5 stars and a Top Pick. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in the heart of Wisconsin near their three children and five joy-producing grandchidren. You can connect with Cynthia at http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/, http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/books/when-the-morning-glory-blooms, www.facebook.com/cynthiaruchtireaderpage, and www.twitter.com/cynthiaruchti.
About the book – When the Morning Glory Blooms: Becky rocks a baby that rocked her world. Sixty years earlier, with her fiancé Drew in the middle of the Korean Conflict, Ivy throws herself into her work at a nursing home to keep her sanity and provide for the child Drew doesn’t know is coming. Ivy cares for Anna, an elderly patient who taxes Ivy’s listening ear until the day she suspects Anna’s tall tales are not just idle ramblings. They’re Anna’s disjointed memories of a remarkable life. Finding a faint thread of hope she can’t resist tugging, Ivy records Anna’s memoir, scribbling furiously after hours to keep up with the woman’s emotion-packed grace-hemmed stories. Is Ivy’s answer buried in Anna’s past? And what connects them to Becky?
Becky, Ivy, Anna–three women fight a tangled vine of deception in search of the blossoming simplicity of truth.
Come back April 26th for Cynthia’s part 3 – the story behind the story!