Liz Tolsma – Real Life Romance – Part 1 of 2

Winter dance a few weeks after our first date

 
I don’t know that I have the most romantic story in the world. In fact, I’m pretty sure it isn’t. But on the 23^rd of this month, my husband and I will celebrate 23 years of marriage together. We’re doing something right! 
We “met” in the sixth grade. O.K., we didn’t talk to each other and we were in different classes, but if someone asked me who he was, I would have been able to tell them. Our lockers were across the hall from each other in eighth grade, but again, I don’t think we said anything to each other all year. I don’t remember the position of our lockers, but he does. Awww, now come on, that’s romantic!
During our senior year of high school, we had mutual friends that began dating. They felt badly that we sat home on Saturday nights while they went out. So they asked us to come along. The rest, as they say, is history. That first date to the movie Octopussy and out for pizza happened more than 27 years ago. I was two then, you know!!
I was home one weekend during my senior year of college. Doug lived with his parents in the same town and commuted to the university. We spent the day together doing mundane things. I remember us at the grocery story with my mom – why, I don’t know, but that’s my recollection. I sensed something different that day. He was super attentive to me, and I enjoyed it. But it was unusual somehow. Later that evening, we went out to our favorite restaurant at that time. It has since closed. I ate something that didn’t agree with me, but I went back to his parents’ house with him. All I really wanted to do was to go home and go to bed. He told me I’d be fine. Strange, but he kept asking if I had to use the restroom. Little did I know, he had the ring hidden in the room and had to get it out before he could propose. Finally, I got sick of him pestering me and went to the bathroom. He never got on one knee or anything – he just opened the box when I got back and told me I could have the ring if I agreed to marry him at Christmas. I’d been gunning for a summer wedding, but I dropped that idea faster that you can say, “Marry me.” I would have done anything for that ring!! Funny, but I did feel better immediately.
We love, love, love Christmas and it is appropriate that we got married then. Our wedding was as beautiful and romantic as you could want. Candles, pine boughs, twinkling lights – you get the picture. So while the proposal won’t win awards for the most romantic in the world, he made up for it by choosing a very romantic time for a wedding.
Doug’s not the flowers and candy type of guy, but he’s rock-steady and committed to me and our children. He’s my best friend and we love each other deeply. God has blessed me beyond measure by giving me him for a husband.
About Liz: Best-selling author Liz Tolsma has worked as a teacher and an advertising copywriter. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and part-time church secretary. Her novella Under His Wings released in September 2011, in Barbour Publishing’s novella collection A Log Cabin Christmas. In June 2009, she had two short stories published in Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families: As American As They Come and A Mother’s Love.  When not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, gardening and snowshoeing. She makes her home next to a cornfield in Wisconsin with her husband, Doug, and their three children, all adopted internationally, one of whom has special needs.

About the book: Under His Wings

Adie O’Connell finds herself the lone woman stranded in a logging camp full of uncouth men. She knows Noah Mitchell promised her father he’d look after her, but is a marriage of convenience the only way? With the threats against her reputation continuing, she’s frightened. Will their marriage cost them both everything or can they find security—and love—under God’s wings?

Come back Dec 16th for Liz’s romantic interview.