This week's host: Jennifer Slattery
Before we launch our next clash, Most Romantic Moments, I wanted to relive a few real life romantic moments. After sixteen years of marriage, my heart-bank is quite full of memories, so I'll only share one. And I hope you'll share a few of yours with us. There's nothing like reliving those special times to get us in the mood for a great forever-love romance excerpt!
One of my most memorable moments started out with a bit of angst. We were living in Southern California at the time and had been married maybe six or seven years. This was the first year I'd directed Vacation Bible School, and my lack of experience led to a great deal of stress and wasted time. Needless to say, I put my husband and my marriage on the backburner for about a month as I rushed around to locate and train volunteers, buy supplies, and distribute flyers.
As the event neared to a close, the children's director reminded me of the parent's night event scheduled for that Friday. I'd totally forgotten, but no big deal. I'd tell my husband I needed to take care of one more obligation, then life would return to normal.
Only when I got home and relayed the information to him, he was anything but pleased.
"Tell her you can't do it," he said.
This response was so uncharacteristic of my gentle, easy-going, always willing to help and let me help where needed, husband, I was floored.
"But I'm the director."
He shook his head. "So. They'll just have to handle this event without you."
End of conversation.
My stomach churned as a countless questions swarmed my mind. Apparently my husband had felt my absence more than I thought. In fact, he seemed angry! In my extreme business, I must have hurt him deeply somehow--it was the only explanation that made any sense in light of his uncharacteristic behavior.
The next day I returned to the church early in the morning and met with the children's staff.
"I don't think this has been such a positive experience for my family. I fear I may have hurt my husband in some way."
Unfortunately, I still had to finish out the rest of the week, which meant more long hours away from home.
By the time Friday rolled around, I felt terrible about the time I'd spent away, but was relieved it was over. As I pulled into my driveway that late afternoon (after hours spent cleaning the church and boxing up decorationa and other VBS items) I committed to putting my husband first. Starting then, I'd make a point to show him how much I loved him.
Exhausted, I staggered into my kitchen and slumped into the chair. I glanced at the clock. My husband would be home any minute, which meant I needed to get started on dinner.
As I stood, the door leading to the garage opened and in walked...a friend's teenage daughter and her younger sister. I imagined Leila there mother was close behind.
Had Leila come to visit? Did we have a ministry meeting scheduled I'd forgotten about? This wouldn't do. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but this family needed to go. Tonight I needed to focus totally on my husband. I'd pushed him aside for long enough.
He walked in a moment later and I stood in the kitchen, gaze shifting between them all.
Now what?
The air I'd been holding expelled from my lungs a moment later when a smile exploded on his face and he pulled a boquet of flowers from behind his back.
"Happy Anniversary!"
As reality settled into my frazzled brain, I fell into a fit of giggles.
My husband closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me, delivering a kiss that still makes my cheeks flush hot. When he pulled away, his eyes danced.
"Go get ready. And wear something nice."
That's my true-life romance moment. Now it's your turn!
Because our excerpts posted half a day late this Clash, we'll extend voting through Friday at noon. Authors will be revealed immediately after.
Before we launch our next clash, Most Romantic Moments, I wanted to relive a few real life romantic moments. After sixteen years of marriage, my heart-bank is quite full of memories, so I'll only share one. And I hope you'll share a few of yours with us. There's nothing like reliving those special times to get us in the mood for a great forever-love romance excerpt!
One of my most memorable moments started out with a bit of angst. We were living in Southern California at the time and had been married maybe six or seven years. This was the first year I'd directed Vacation Bible School, and my lack of experience led to a great deal of stress and wasted time. Needless to say, I put my husband and my marriage on the backburner for about a month as I rushed around to locate and train volunteers, buy supplies, and distribute flyers.
As the event neared to a close, the children's director reminded me of the parent's night event scheduled for that Friday. I'd totally forgotten, but no big deal. I'd tell my husband I needed to take care of one more obligation, then life would return to normal.
Only when I got home and relayed the information to him, he was anything but pleased.
"Tell her you can't do it," he said.
This response was so uncharacteristic of my gentle, easy-going, always willing to help and let me help where needed, husband, I was floored.
"But I'm the director."
He shook his head. "So. They'll just have to handle this event without you."
End of conversation.
My stomach churned as a countless questions swarmed my mind. Apparently my husband had felt my absence more than I thought. In fact, he seemed angry! In my extreme business, I must have hurt him deeply somehow--it was the only explanation that made any sense in light of his uncharacteristic behavior.
The next day I returned to the church early in the morning and met with the children's staff.
"I don't think this has been such a positive experience for my family. I fear I may have hurt my husband in some way."
Unfortunately, I still had to finish out the rest of the week, which meant more long hours away from home.
By the time Friday rolled around, I felt terrible about the time I'd spent away, but was relieved it was over. As I pulled into my driveway that late afternoon (after hours spent cleaning the church and boxing up decorationa and other VBS items) I committed to putting my husband first. Starting then, I'd make a point to show him how much I loved him.
Exhausted, I staggered into my kitchen and slumped into the chair. I glanced at the clock. My husband would be home any minute, which meant I needed to get started on dinner.
As I stood, the door leading to the garage opened and in walked...a friend's teenage daughter and her younger sister. I imagined Leila there mother was close behind.
Had Leila come to visit? Did we have a ministry meeting scheduled I'd forgotten about? This wouldn't do. I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but this family needed to go. Tonight I needed to focus totally on my husband. I'd pushed him aside for long enough.
He walked in a moment later and I stood in the kitchen, gaze shifting between them all.
Now what?
The air I'd been holding expelled from my lungs a moment later when a smile exploded on his face and he pulled a boquet of flowers from behind his back.
"Happy Anniversary!"
As reality settled into my frazzled brain, I fell into a fit of giggles.
My husband closed the distance between us and wrapped his arms around me, delivering a kiss that still makes my cheeks flush hot. When he pulled away, his eyes danced.
"Go get ready. And wear something nice."
That's my true-life romance moment. Now it's your turn!
Because our excerpts posted half a day late this Clash, we'll extend voting through Friday at noon. Authors will be revealed immediately after.
