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As a little girl, I dreamed about who my true love would be. A hopeful romantic, science fiction fan, and want-to-be-author, I remember playing house with Han Solo as my husband at the ripe old age of 7. He was a tough act to follow.
When I was a bit older, my best friend Kymmie and I chased boys in the playground (subtle, huh?), practiced cooking in her mother's kitchen (mine would have died before she let us concoct such fare at my house!) and wondered what it would be like to grow up, get married, and have homes of our own.
Now, the mother of two little girls - I recently had the honor and horror of discovering my 4 - almost 5 year old has her first crush. First Crush? At almost 5?! I fell out of my chair. Specifically, I tipped off my perch on the bathroom counter as DD#1 splashed in the tub and told me she wanted to talk about boys, because SHE had a secret crush on a BOY! This sent her and her little sis into peals of laughter. Either at the concept of boys, or at the look on my face, I'm not sure which.
Boys?! okay. It's not like I didn't know it was coming. I just am not ready for it to come quite this soon. So, briefly closing my eyes and praying for the right words (a new habit of mine - knowing that God knows what the girls need to hear far more than I know what to tell them!)
"Sweetie?" I asked, voice low. "What does it mean to have a crush?"
"It means you whisper a lot." She laughed, continuing to splash around. "Oh! And that you always have someone to play tag with." Then, she began chanting her 'boyfriend's' name over and over again.
Watching my baby, in all of her innocence, my heart warmed. True love--brilliantly defined by a 5 year old--means having someone to whisper with, and always having a partner to play your favorite game.
Late in the night, I shared this with my DH as we lay in the dark, my head in the hollow of his shoulder. He is my true love. My someone who whispers with me. Laughs with me. Knows what I need him to say or do, before I realize I need it. And, as a bonus--he shares the day to day like a champ. He will always be my Valentine. Last year he stood in line last year for over an hour to get me my favorite See's candies -- and the best part is, he could care less what it does to my waist-line.
So - for the Romancing February prize of the day -Tell me what True Love means to YOU!
We'll review the answers, and my DH will help make the decision (Give him some good ideas, ladies!) The winner will receive a preview edition of my redemption-themed contemporary romance, "By Another Name" - Releasing April 11, 2009 from The Wild Rose Press.
Thanks for playing!
Once again... to "compete" in the Romancing February grand prize - a $75 gift certificate for The Wild Rose Press - please join our blog-hop, starting with the wonderful blog-talents of Amber Leigh Williams. Next stop: Nan Jacobs - for her Silver Fox Tales!
http://silverfoxtales.blogspot.com/
Remember to visit http://www.mamawriters.com/ - a new blog by writer mamas, for mama writers. It's all about the love...
Hi, Ashley! True love to me is what I've had with my hubby of 26 years. Sure, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but we're always there for each other, enjoy being together and just have a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteTrue love is having a husband who lets you buy as many books as you want! Well that and who supports you even when he doesn't necessarily agree with you, who makes you smile when you feel down or lets you cry on his shoulder when he fails to make you laugh, who smiles just to see you. Most recently though, it's when he tells you to give him all of your stress because it's not good for the new mommy to stress.
ReplyDeleteSusan - 26 years MUST equal true love. Not that we don't all have our *ahem* differences of opinion *ahem* from time to time! No wonder your stories are so ripe with romance!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful valentine's day!
~Ashley
Emma,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on being a new mommy. There is nothing that blesses a mama more than having a husband share the burden, concerns, cares, and joys of parenthood.
I'm so glad you have such a wonderful, equal partner! especially if he turns his head at the Amazon.com bill! :)
Happy V Day!
~Ashley
Personally... I think your daughters captured True Love perfectly! Someone to whisper with and "play tag"(which could mean anything you want it to hee hee hee!) with... that just is so cute and appealing...!!
ReplyDelete*beaming with pride* Nan, I couldn't agree with you more. It's amazing what comes out of the mouths of our sweet children!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
~Ash
I will spare everyone from getting all philosophical here and just say HYSTERICAL DEFINITION. I think I'm too old to play tag though... Great post.
ReplyDeleteSkhye! with a vivid imagination like yours, I'm sure you could figure out how. Maybe freeze tag? Flashlight tag? ;-)
ReplyDelete((HUGS))
~Ash
Ah true love! What defines love? I think it is in all the small things in life.
ReplyDeleteOn our third anniversary, instead of bringing me a dozen red roses, my DH (who knows I love flowers) brought me a rather interesting bouquet. 3 red roses-representing our love, 3 white roses--for the purity of our love, 3 yellow roses--for our friendship, and 3 pink roses--representing we are sweethearts. Yes, it's true we didn't have a lot of money at the time and red roses cost the most but there was a lot of thought in that bouquet and it meant a lot to me.
Cindy - I love this. Roses are always a delight--especially when times are tight.
ReplyDeleteLoved our conversation on chivalry, BTW! and good for your son :) way to go teaching him to open doors, mama! my sister has taught her boys the fine art of chivalry as well. It's a pleasure to see her towering wrestlers (18 & 16) be so gentle of nature...
~Ash
And from the mouths of babes! Boy! Your daughter is pretty wise! We all want someone to whisper with and play tag! Who doesn't want to be chased and then caught by the object of her desire? Or even a childhood sweetheart? What a sweet story! And I love that your honey stood in line for those chocolates and I especially loved that he doesn't care what the chocolate does to your waistline. Don't you love the comfort of your one and only? Thank goodness my husband doesn't see the extra weight I gained with my baby boy. Am I rambling here...probably...uh, yes...but anyhow...real love, true love comes from within and there's nothing more beautiful! Thanks for sharing this with us today, Ashley! And I love your cover! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAlisha! too true. We've always said DD#1's an old soul. Thanks for your comments. I love to "listen" to you ramble... isn't that what romance writers do?! :)
ReplyDeleteMy sweetheart has a bit of fluff of his own - and darned if a good friend of his from HS post a picture of him as a teenager with his shirt off, all tan, blonde, and hunky! And I called the girls over and said, "Look how cute Daddy used to be!" we all had a good laugh, but...((*SMACKS FOREHEAD!*))
I agree with you on the cover! Nicola did an AMAZING job. She designed all the covers for The Easter Lilies series - coming out April 9-11th from The Wild Rose Press! (shameless plug!)
You wanted to know our thoughts on true love. It is when you are sick and he cooks dinner and does the dishes without asking. It is not saying a thing but knowing you are in each others thoughts. It is never going to bed angry but discussing what is wrong. It is knowing that no matter what happens you have each other. Our love was tested 4 years ago, we lost all of our possessions in a fire. We came out with each other and our animals. We were blessed. We lived in a camper trailer for 4 months before we moved into our new residence. It was a 10' x 12' trailer. When you are in cramped quarters, you find out what your relationship is made of. I think true love is being able to come out on the other side of a difficult situation stronger in your love for each other. Thanks for the contest.
ReplyDeleteTrue love is something I was fortunate to find in my *gulp* second marriage at the ripe old age of 22. Yes I know. Married twice before I was out of puberty! True love is not being afraid to share your deepest secrets, no fear of rejection or scorn. Being able to have that "friend" with whom you can share everything and more. Being able to see them at their worst and still think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread.
ReplyDeleteTrue Love...as a child I would say it was Cinderella or Leia and Han Solo....Now as a adult I would say true love is even better...True love is beyond my dreams...my true love for 16 years and 10 married has stuck by me beyond even what I could have imagined. We broke up or should I say I broke up for 8 months in 1997/98 and for 8 months he told me he loved me...never stopped telling me...then when we went thru a hard hard time in 2007 and again his love did not fail...He loves me beyond even what I could imagine love to be. I would say True Love is my man and what a amazing man that True Love is.....
ReplyDeleteHouseMouse88 - I ache for what you went through. I live in Southern California and fire danger is something we live with on a regular basis. Thus far, just something that my DH and I have only discussed in the abstract! You know - what would we take if we had to get out in a flash!
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing for your marriage that you had that experience! everything but the two of you can be replaced. Thank you so much for sharing.
~Ashley
Ann! My mama always told me that we are the sum total of our life's experiences. You wouldn't be the strong woman you are now, with out the choices you've made -- or the mistakes!
ReplyDeleteIt's always seemed to me, that once I stopped fighting it, my life would get set right back on track.
I'm so glad you found your someone, and found him early. Thanks for sharing...
~Ashley
Anonymous - that's a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing...
ReplyDelete~Ashley
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Ashley!
ReplyDeleteSweet blog :) My hubby is my true love too :) We met a week or so after my 17th birthday and have been together ever since...
I have to say whenever I hear the term "true love" it reminds me of my favorite movie, The Princess Bride" and the priest who says "Twu luv..."
Eliza! I had no idea that you guys had been together that long. That's so cool.
ReplyDeleteWe just watched The Princess Bride with our daughters a few weeks ago and got so tickled!
I'd forgotten all about that scene... "Mah-wage! That Bwessed Awangement..." Sounds like my DD#2!
I can't stop thinking about DD#1's favorite movie - Enchanted & True Love's Kiss!
Thanks for your comment! *hugs*
~Ash
Hi Ashley! Your daughter's crush makes me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteI met my first crush at the age of five. I still remember that day, sitting on the couch with this "older man" of 8 years old and truly being in awe of him. LOL
He ended up becoming my first boyfriend at the ripe, old age of 12. We dated on and off up through high school and until I was 19. He was my first crush, my first boyfriend and my first love.
However, my husband is my TRUE love. :)
Ashley, your family stories are so sweet and your daughters sound precious. Enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI’ve found MY True Love in my One and Only, who I married 31 years ago. He’s patient and caring, even when I’m difficult. He’s always willing to put me and the family first. He’s dedicated to our marriage and family and defends us all the time. He’s never had any greater ambition than to be married and to have a family. He’s always bringing me little gifts and treats, to the point where I’d say I was spoiled. He’s always there when I’m not feeling well, or just down.
I’m lucky to have him as my husband. ;-)
Jeannie - I love, Love, LOVE your story.
ReplyDeleteThere is such a difference between first and TRUE love, isn't there?!
Thank you so much for sharing.
~Ash
Eleyne, Reading your post makes me think of my own hubby. He is more happy just being a daddy to our girls, and a husband to me. I'm the one who keeps looking to the next thing. He just wants to be with us. That's all. It's enough, and a constant lesson in patience. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing!
~Ashley
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute story! True love--I live it everyday with my wonderful hubby and son.
I do remember by first crush though. His name was Michael, and we were in kindergarten together. I ADORED him! And one night I decided I was going to call him and tell him I loved him. Yes, he was the boy for me. But, I didn't know his phone number.
What did my five-year-old self do? Called the telephone operator and asked for his phone number. She asked me if I knew his daddy or mommy's name. I said, "No."
"Do you know where he lives?"
I said, "No."
"Sorry, honey," she said. "I won't be able to find his number then."
I was devastated. Luckily, by morning, I was too scared to tell him because he had already decided his girlfriend was a cute little blond girl named Karen.
My first black moment.
:))
Renee
www.reneeknowles.com