Shannon here: Abingdon/Heartsong Presents author, Myra Johnson shares her real life romance and a chance to win a copy of her book, One Imperfect Christmas. Comment on any post dated Dec 27 – Jan 1 to be in the drawing. Deadline: Jan 1, midnight Central time. Here’s Myra:
Love at first sight? That pretty much describes it for me! I’ll never forget the night I first laid eyes on the man I would marry. Actually, he saw me first, when the Christian folk-singing group I belonged to provided the entertainment at a local church’s ice cream social.
Afterwards, we learned from the pastor that a new guy in town, a string bass player, had been at the social and was really interested in joining our group, so our leader invited him to the next rehearsal. When he walked in the door, I was smitten! He was tall, blond, and handsome, with a lazy, inviting smile that stole my heart! Though I’d never have admitted it to anyone at that moment, I had the strongest sense that I was looking at my future spouse.
Little did I know he’d already decided pretty much the same thing about me! In fact, he told me later that he’d had his eye on me all during our performance. Me—the shyest girl in the universe who’d been absolutely certain she’d die an old maid!
Our courtship was truly a whirlwind romance. We met in October, dated or talked on the phone almost every night after that first meeting, got engaged in January, and were married the next May. Exactly five weeks before our wedding day, that guy—who now claims he doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body—did the most romantic thing. He presented me with five perfect long-stemmed red roses.
We’ve been married 38 ½ years now, and though we’ve had our ups and downs, we’re as committed to each other as we were on our wedding day. He’s my best friend and staunchest supporter. I know I can count on him wherever life takes us.
About Myra: Award-winning author Myra Johnson writes what she likes to call “romantic women’s fiction”—emotionally gripping stories about love, life, and faith. Her first novel, One Imperfect Christmas, debuted from Abingdon Press in September 2009. She also writes for Barbour’s Heartsong Presents line. Her romance Autumn Rains (November 2009) was named a 2010 finalist in the Short Contemporary Romance category of the prestigious ACFW Carol Awards. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters who, along with their godly husbands, have huge hearts for ministry. Four rambunctious grandsons and one precious granddaughter take up another big chunk of Myra’s heart. She and her husband now share their home with two lovable dogs and a snobby parakeet. Myra writes full-time and is active in her church as well as local and national writers groups. Learn more at her Website: www.MyraJohnson.com, Blog: www.myra.typepad.com, Group blog: www.seekerville.blogspot.com, and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MyraJohnsonAuthor.
Come back Dec 29 for a glimpse into the fictional romance of Myra’s characters.
We hear about so many people who have short courtships whose marriages don’t last. It’s wonderful to hear about one that has! I’m glad you all have included wedding pictures in these posts. Weddings are great. 🙂
I went to the author’s website and read about her books. They look very good!
Weddings are beautiful. This was a nice story. It would be nice to win a book. God Bless.
Sylvia & Rosemary, thanks for your sweet comments. I actually know quite a few couples whose marriages have lasted after short courtships. Sometimes you just KNOW. And staying together, of course, takes continued effort, commitment, and compromise, because no relationship is problem-free.
I love this, they met at a church ice cream social. That’s just way too sweet. I love the five roses too. I’m getting book ideas.
Myra, you look about fifteen in that wedding photo.
What a sweet story. Love at first sight.
I love a good love story!!! Myra, this was Deeeeeliciously sweet. And what a beautiful bride!
God has blessed you and Jack with an enduring love. Yay, God! And don’t enter me into the drawing, Shannon, because I’ve already read and loved Myra’s books, but how nice to visit you guys on Christmas Week, the season of love and giving.
Great story, Myra!
Hi Myra:
I just love it when couples use ½ years when telling how long they have been married! I have been married 32 ½ years after a six month courtship. It was love at first sight but I was 33 and I knew exactly what I was looking for. Luckily I not only found the right person, I was the right person, too.
Can you tell us what your next project is? Are you going to write a trade size book or one that will be available as an eBook? I have all your books but at this point I need larger type.
Happy New Year!
Vince
I’m loving all the comments.
OH, I LOVE THAT PHOTO!!!!
Great, great post.
Just wanted to stop by once more to thank all my friends for commenting! Last week was CRAZY! After having ALL the kids & grandkids here at one time for a few days, I promptly got sick and am still recovering.
Praying blessings on all of you for a fabulous 2011!
Hope you feel 100% soon, Myra.