• Happy Anniversary


    We didn't see each other before the service, so pictures were taken after. . .

    ***Here is a repost of one of my favorites from the last Week of Love***

    When it came to choosing a person to do the scripture readings at our wedding, I didn’t hesitate–Lynn & RG Boeyink. That’s Charlie’s Mom and Dad.

    First, they’re awesome role models (married 43 years now!) Second, their faith continually astounds me. Third–well, there is no third, I just KNEW they were the people to do it.

    But when Lynn and RG made their way to the podium, I got a little nervous because I saw Lynn carrying a piece of paper.

    It was then that I knew she’d written something down.

    It was then that I knew, I would need Kleenx–lots of them.

    She just has a way with words . . . So, here is what she read.

    Not an eye was dry in the church.

    Enjoy, and be sure to stop by tomorrow, because my sweet hubby is breaking down his TOP TEN most favorite love songs. And he knows how to pick them, let me tell you.

    ~~~

    When was it Love?

    By Lynn Boeyink

    I wore my mom's wedding dress. My diamond is Charlie's mom's engagement diamond.

    Little did you two know that on the campus in Marshall, Minnesota, you would meet, eventually fall in love with, and today marry each other. As the months and years passed at Southwest State and the friendships came and went, you established yourselves there, chose your fields of study, worked and played, and the awareness of one another became more real.

    But when what is love?

    Was it a glimmer of in your smiles that set the world in fire or was it in the eyes that sparkle and light up a room?

    Perhaps there was something unique in that friendly manner and charm that seemed to be so natural. Or was it that confident style that told everyone you met that you could conquer any task or problem that came your way?

    Was it a sense of love on those first few dates when you were convinced that this is one very special person? Or, was it when the realization that your life goals and commitment to hard work were similar or when you realized that your enjoyment of the outdoors and sports were compatible?

    This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad on my wedding day

    Perhaps it was love when you learned of one another’s faith in Jesus Christ and that you both had a desire to be a part of the world around you but not to live by worldly standards. Maybe it grew to be real love as your time together became more and more cherished and your time apart more uncomfortable.

    It must have been true love when you looked into one another’s eyes and finally knew deep in your hearts that you wanted to be together forever.

    But you do know, don’t you, that it really was love long before you ever met, before your first date, even before you left home to venture out on your own to make your way in the world. Before you did any of these things—it was love!

    It was love because God says in his word, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you.” and He says, ‘I know the plans I have for you…plants to give you home and a future.”

    So you see, it was love for you when you committed to each other, but God loved you long before that, His love is eternal, and his plans for you stand firm forever.

    It was love for you before you were ever born, because God said so. He planned it that way. May you grow in this love for each other with time knowing always that your union is part of God’s divine plan for your lives.

    You may kiss the bride. Bonded for life now and happy to be.

    ~~~

    So, what’s your love story?

  • Debate This…Week of Love


    Welcome to the Week of Love on Catch the Rush.

    For anyone who’s been following me this blog for any length of time knows I devote a week a year to Love–> right around my wedding anniversary.

    Me and my sweet hubby are celebrating 15 years of marriage this week (Wednesday), and I can think of nothing else more fun to blog about.

    I mean, I am a romance writer, you know? So it totally fits.

    So, for our Debate This topic this week, I present…

    Celine Dion vs Michael Bolton

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    Who do you think is the best singer of love songs….

    Celine Dion

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saalGKY7ifU]

    ***or***

    Michael Bolton

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-voFydnXGA&ob=av2n]

    ~~~~~

    Debate This….

  • Fairy Tales. . .


    Did you get wrapped up in the royal wedding? How many of you got up early to watch it?

    Come on, raise your hands.

    Be proud.

    Now, as a romance writer, people pretty much assumed I would get up and watch this fairy tale event.

    I didn’t.

    No reason, really.

    It was the most anticipated event in…well, according to some, the twenty-first century.

    It’s been fun to watch the process from afar. It made me remember my own personal fairy tale.

    Marrying my hubby.

    I didn’t have all the pomp and circumstance. But that’s okay. How we did it worked for us.

    I wore my mom’s dress and the diamond in my ring was Charlie’s mom’s engagement diamond.

    I’m all about sentiment.

    My first kiss with my new hubby wasn’t in front of a bazillion people.

    It was at the altar of a small church before a small group of close friends and family.

    But it worked for us.

    My personal fairy tale.One I get to live out daily because I found and married my prince charming fifteen years ago (well, in August it’ll be fifteen years.)

    Maybe that’s why I write romance novels. I love love!

    Just like I throw obstacles at my characters to complicate things, troubles find us in real life, too. But I do hold to one theory in my novels and in real life:

    There’s nothing stronger than love.

    Heck, I even tattooed it on my arm!

    “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

    I had to download this song for the title alone–> Faith, Hope, & Love by Beckah Shae

    Call me a sap.

    Call me naive.

    That’s okay. I’ve been called worse.

    I blame all the wedding coverage for putting me in this sappy mood *wink*

    ~~~~

  • Inspiration


    I have quite a few things that inspire me–and not just inspiring me to write either. Sure, I have a lot of those, and I mention them weekly in my This Writer’s Journey segments.

    But, today, I’m mentioning someone who inspires me on a whole different level. Someone who inspires me to be a better person. A better wife. A better athlete. And yes, even a better writer.

    My husband, Charlie.

    Here are a couple pictures of a triathlon he did recently.

    He works so hard at his sport. Without fail, he trains daily. He watches what he eats–and boy do I wish I had the dedication he does. The way that man can turn away chocolate when it’s readily available is unnatural!

    I joke, but truly, he inspires me. He shows me by example what it means to be dedicated to something. To work hard for it. Earn it. Yet, he’s quick to smile and give God the credit for any success he has. He’s right, too. God has truly blessed him with a strong mind, heart and soul.

    And a triathlete training for the full Ironman needs that. To make it in a 2-mile swim, 110+ mile bike ride, and 26-mile run—YIKES!

    So, I thank you, Charlie, for being such a good example to me and those around you. I’m blessed to call you husband.

    ~~~

    Who inspires you?

    ~~~

  • Movie Quotes . . .


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    Okay, give these your best shot. . .

    ~~~~

    1. He does dress better than I do, what would I bring to the relationship?

    2. You poor, sad, multimillionaire. I feel so sorry for you.

    3. This dress exacerbates the genetic betrayal that is my legacy.

    4. You have to promise you won’t fall in love with me.

    ~~~~

    Think you can stump me? Leave your quote in the comments and I’ll take a crack at it.

    Check back later for the answers to these.

    ~~~~

  • This Character’s Journey . . .


    Lynn has been running this series called This Writer’s Journey on Fridays for some time now. Since I’m one of her characters, I’ve decided to change it for this post to, This Character’s Journey.

    It’s an interesting journey, indeed, and Lynn has written two books about it. I’ve given her much material to write about, though, considering I slid into this realm to escape someone looking to do me harm after marrying me.

    Not to mention I arrived to earth with no memory of who-or what-I was and completely blind.

    As if that wasn’t enough, I sprouted wings at the most inopportune time. I can’t tell you how that happened because I wouldn’t want to spoil things should this book get published one day.

    But one thing I’ve enjoyed about this journey is my Jayden.

    He found me wondering the streets, blind and with no memory. Out of the goodness of his heart, he took me in. By doing so, he invited a whole set of problems he never could have imagined. Or me for that matter.

    It is nice to know there are still good people in the world today willing to take a risk to help someone. So, thank you, Jayden, for stepping up and helping a complete stranger.

    ~~~

    Who has stepped along side of you when you were at your weakest and lifted you up?

    ~~~

    CONTEST:

    Earn one entry by leaving a comment here.

    Earn TWO MORE entries by leaving a comment on Lynn’s group blog post. It just started this week: Four Foxes & One Hound