Shannon here: Linda Shenton Matchett shares how her future husband got her attention, plus a chance to win an ebook copy of her Historical Romance, Gold Rush Bride Hannah. Deadline: June 18th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Linda:
An Unusual Meeting by Linda Shenton Matchett
In the 2006 movie The Holiday, two women with “guy trouble” swap homes for two weeks. British journalist Iris Simpkins, played by Kate Winslet, ends up in Hollywood where she befriends the elderly Arthur Abbott, an award-winning screenwriter from the Golden Age of Film. Arthur explains a writing gimmick called the meet-cute, a scene in which two people who will form a future romantic couple meet for the first time, typically under unusual, humorous, or cute circumstances.
It wasn’t until watching the movie several years after it came out, that I realized the night I met my husband qualifies as a meet-cute.
Thanks to my father’s job with IBM, lovingly referred to by employees and their families as “I’ve been moved,” rather than International Business Machines, we relocated several times while I was growing up. The last time we moved was the most difficult. I was a junior in high school and involved with a young man. When Dad notified the family we’d be moving from New Jersey to Maryland at the end of March (and in the middle of a school year), I was distraught, and to put it mildly, not very polite to my father about the situation. As far as I was concerned, my life was over. Ah, teenaged drama.
Fast forward to several months later.
I had managed to make it through the end of the school year, having been accepted by a couple of girls in the neighborhood. We didn’t have a lot in common, but they made lots of effort to include me in their circle of friends and activities. My family was also part of a church that was quite a few miles away from where we lived, and didn’t include any kids from my new high school. I kept my head down, and did little to involve myself with the youth group, instead joining the puppet team. I could hide behind the screen and not worry about interacting with anyone.
Little did I know that my husband-to-be had set his sights on me. According to him and my sister, he made several efforts to get to know me, such as sitting next to or near me during events or trying to engage me in conversation. Embarrassingly, I don’t remember any of these interactions. He was making no progress, so he decided to take things to the next level.
Our puppet group performed at the annual county fair, and traditionally on the last night after things
were put away, the kids would go to battle with water balloons. This year was no different, except that rather than pelt me with water balloons like everyone else, my husband-to-be picked me up and carried me to the pump where he proceeded to douse me under the surging water.
I came up spitting and clawing, much like a cat. I asked him what he was thinking. He calmly replied, “I’ve been trying to get your attention and nothing worked. I took a chance. Will you go out with me?”
I was irritated…and intrigued. How does a girl say no after that?
The rest is history, and we’re getting ready to celebrate our thirty-ninth wedding anniversary later this year. The story about how I met my best friend is also memorable , but that’s for another day.
About Linda: Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A volunteer docent and archivist for the Wright Museum of WWII, Linda is a former trustee for her local public library. She is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry. Linda has lived in historic places all her life, and is now located in central New Hampshire where her favorite activities include exploring historic sites and immersing herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors. Learn more & connect:
Linda’s Website Linda’s Facebook Linda’s Pinterest
Linda’s Goodreads Linda’s Bookbub Linda’s Moments in History Youtube Channel
About the book – Gold Rush Bride Hannah:
A brand-new widow, she doesn’t need another man in her life. He’s not looking for a wife. But when danger thrusts them together, will they change their minds…and hearts?
Hannah Lauman’s husband has been murdered, but rather than grief, she feels…relief. She decides to remain in Georgia to work their gold claim, but a series of incidents makes it clear someone wants her gone…dead or alive. Is a chance at being a woman of means and independence worth risking her life?
Jess Vogel never breaks a promise, so when he receives a letter from a former platoon mate about being in danger, he drops everything to help his old friend. Unfortunately, he arrives just in time for the funeral. Can he convince the man’s widow he’s there for her protection not for her money?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Linda’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now! Gold Rush Bride Hannah Linda’s books
Question for Readers: In Gold Rush Bride Hannah, the heroine meets her future husband as the result of a letter. Tell us about a time when you met someone (friend or boyfriend/husband) in unusual circumstances.
Come back on June 14th for Amy R. Anguish!
Thanks for hosting me, Shannon! I look forward to hearing your followers’ stories!
Glad to have your here, Linda. I saw my husband across the school campus. He was the new kid. I was 14. He was 16. I thought he was gorgeous and decided I’d marry him. I was painfully shy. About 4 months later at a school event, he was sitting in the bleachers with his family. I was wearing heels and came down beside him. I mustered all my courage, put my hand on his shoulder and said something like, “I need a strong shoulder to help me down.” It worked. He noticed me. We started dating. Thankfully, he was gorgeous inside too. We got married a year after graduation and will celebrate 38 years soon.
What a wonderful story. I love that you knew what you wanted (him!) at such a young age. Blessings to you on your long marriage.
I was at a pro-am bowling tournament watching my parents bowl. I had a table to myself and every other table was packed. One of the pro bowlers came up and asked if he could sit at the table as he was waiting for his friends. I said yes we started talking and next thing I know he is asking me out to dinner. A year later we married and have been married 24 years.
Wow! How fun. Is he still a pro bowler? Congratulations on twenty four years!
I saw and met my husband at a local hamburger joint he asked me out and if course I said yes we will be married 45 years this December.
Wow – forty five years! Congratulations! Do you still go to that hamburger joint? 🙂
Had a group of friends that we went out together almost every weekend for a year. One day I met the younger brother and I knew as soon as I met him that he was the one for me. Still best friends with the older brother but the younger brother got my heart!
Very special! Thanks for sharing!
I have a winner! Pamela Hargraves won the drawing. I appreciate Linda for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.