Keli Gwyn – Real Life Romance – Part 3 of 3

Shannon here: Historical romance author, Keli Gwyn shares her wedding, plus a chance to win her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California. Comment on any post dated July 2 – 6 for a chance to win the drawing. Deadline: July 14th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Keli:

Saturday, December 19, 1987 dawned sunny, clear, and warm, a blessing in the midst of a San Francisco Bay Area winter. Everything was in readiness for our 11 a.m. wedding—or so I thought.
My maid of honor and I headed to the church, where we joined my two bridesmaids in the bride room. I donned my Victorian-looking wedding dress. At that point my dreams of writing about Victorian women finding love were still buried, but clearly the era was already part of my heart.

As I eagerly awaited the ceremony, my wedding coordinator came in doing her best not to appear flustered—but failing. Apparently neither the friend coordinating the food for the reception nor the wedding cake I’d hired her to make were there. I remained uncharacteristically calm and simply said I expected her to show up soon. A short time later, a far less frazzled wedding coordinator assured me all was well. I sighed and smiled another of the blissful bridal smiles the camera caught that day.
The ceremony, according to the words I penned in my journal afterward, “went so beautifully.” We were married by Pastor Jon Drury at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley, California. Little did I know I’d end up back in the same sanctuary years later attending the Christian Writers Seminar founded by fellow writer Jon Drury.

While the ceremony included special music, Bible verses shared by Gwynly, my reading of a poem I wrote for him, the candle lighting, and other traditional elements one might expect at a wedding, we added something unique. Since I’m a foot shorter than Gwynly, he wanted me to stand on a footstool for the kiss. Pastor Jon said since we were legally married by that point in the ceremony, he was OK with that.

Gwynly’s groomsmen passed the stool to him, and he placed it in front of me. As our guests realized what was happening, some laughed, while others tried hard not to, not knowing if laughter was appropriate at a wedding. I love that we included a lighthearted moment. To this day, it stands out as one of my favorite wedding memories.
The reception was fun. I ate little but talked lots. Many dear people had taken time out of their busy holiday schedules to join us, and I was eager to visit with each of them. Two dozen of Gwynly’s students accepted our invitation and helped us celebrate our special day. Since they were the ones who encouraged Gwynly to widen his dating window to include women up to ten years younger and who urged him to get a date to take to their junior prom, they played an important role in us getting together. We’re still in touch with some of those awesome men and women.

When I entered the reception hall, I assured myself the cake had indeed arrived. While it didn’t look quite as nice as I’d expected, I was too happy to care. I learned later that the cake I beheld wasn’t the one our friend had first made. That cake met its demise, and a second cake was made in a hurry the morning of the wedding. The new cake was so warm when it was served, we were told, that it was hard to cut. We never found out what happened to the original cake, but there were rumors it had something to do with either our friend’s very large dog or her very small VW Bug.
Following the ceremony, Gwynly and I went outside, where a gorgeous 1954 white Rolls Royce awaited us. Gwynly had arranged a classic car for friends of his who’d married ten years before, and they returned the favor. In the picture, I’m giving a fist pump and telling them “you outdid yourselves.” They certainly did. Being whisked away in such style made me feel like a princess.

Despite the mystery of the missing cake, our wedding went well. Our guests had a good time, as did Gwynly and I. Many treasured memories were made. I recorded my impressions in my journal afterward, finishing with these words: “End of a Storybook Day!!!!!”
Gwynly and I will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary this December. While I’d love to say our marriage has been all peaches and roses, that would be inaccurate. We’ve been through some tough times, including a miscarriage, the loss of both of his parents whom I dearly loved, and a difficult legal battle, but the Lord has been with us every step of the way. Just like the couples in my stories who grow as a result of facing the many hardships I throw at them, Gwynly and I are stronger for having overcome challenges. I look forward to the next twenty-five years with my wonderful guy by my side.
About Keli: Keli Gwyn writes stories that transport readers to the 1800s, where she brings historic towns to life, peoples them with colorful characters, and adds a hint of humor. A California native, she lives in the Gold Rush-era town of Placerville at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, set in the heart of the Gold Country where she lives, will be released in July 2012.
When Keli’s fingers aren’t hovering over the keyboard of her newfangled laptop, she enjoys strolling past stately Victorian houses in her historic town, burying her nose in reference books as she unearths interesting facts to include in her stories, and interacting with other romance readers. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, the Coach factory outlet store, and Taco Bell. Learn more: Website – http://www.keligwyn.com
, Facebook Timeline – http://www.facebook.com/KeliGwyn, Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/KeliGwynReadersGroup, Twitter – http://twitter.com/#!/KeliGwyn,
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5411901.Keli_Gwyn
About the book: Love Is Gold in El Dorado, California
Widow Elenora Watkins heads to California with her nine-year-old daughter, Tildy, eager to become a partner in a mercantile. When the mulish owner withdraws his offer because she’s a woman, she opens her own shop. She’s determined to prove herself capable of running a successful business without the help of anyone—including her controlling father, her seemingly distant heavenly Father, and one Miles Rutledge.
Widower Miles Rutledge is not about to get involved with another willful woman like his late wife, especially when she’s his competition. But the beautiful Elenora may be too hard to resist. When another man appears out to claim Elenora’s heart, Miles searches for a way to win her back. . .while putting her out of business.
Meanwhile, Maude Rutledge, Miles’s meddling mother, longs to see her son make a good match. And Tildy is just as bent on gaining a loving papa.
The battle of wills begins, but can anyone win when the competition is more than they bargained for?