Hi Everyone!
I never told many people (I guess I'm telling a whole bunch now lol), but I had surgery a few weeks ago-nothing serious, just an outpatient procedure-and for the first time in my life I was on drugs-a lot of drugs lol as they prepared me to be wheeled into the operation room. Let me just say here that I usually take nothing-no vitamins, no regular medication, a Tylenol for a headache maybe once every two months, that's it, so the meds they injected into my I.V. hit me hard.
And in my silly, confused, VERY relaxed state I realized two things about myself-One-I talk way too much and Two-I married the most romantic man in the world. Here's how it happened-the realization I mean...
Once the drugs started kicking in, my nervousness about going under for the first time disappeared completely, they could have told me they were about to remove a leg and I would have helped them do it. So, of course, I start talking-mostly about all of you lol. I bragged about Heartwarming and how wonderful the books are, I was Amy and Rula's personal publicist as I made each of the nurses promise to buy a copy of your books this month, and I talked about how much I love LOVE.
One of the nurses turned to my husband and said-Wow, you must be quite the romantic if you're married to a romance writer. And she asked me-Is he the inspiration for your books?
Immediately I laughed and said-Are you kidding-this guy is the world's most unromantic man. (Debbie Macomber claims to have him, but really I do).
She said-What? You mean you don't run her a bath and leave rose petals on the floor as a trail?
He said-Nope, I'm the guy with the vacuum cleaning up the mess.
And right then in my fuzzy state-I realized just how wrong I am when I say he is not romantic.
He may never have given me flowers or candy or stuffed animals that would have found their way to a garbage can anyway...His wedding proposal was as practical as it can get-'We're here at Tiffany's in Las Vegas, we may as well just buy the ring now. Just keep it on and I'll pay for it.' And he doesn't interrupt his super stressful, busy workday to call me just to hear my voice...
He does so much more! He believes in my writing ability much more than I do, allowing me the option to stay at home and write if I choose. He bought every superhero costume available in kid size and adult size so he can dress up like superheroes to play with our son. A work-aholic when we met, he no longer works past five so he can be home for dinner with his family. And when a plot idea comes to me as I'm dozing off and too lazy to get up to write it down, he does! You really can't get much more romantic than that.
That's when I also realized that the heroes in my books ARE inspired by him. For whatever reason-readers are loving Luke Dawson-the hero in The Trouble With Mistletoe and now I realize why-like my husband-Luke has an undying love for the heroine, one that never falters or fades, despite the crap she puts him through and he shows it in deep and meaningful ways. I never consciously modeled him after my husband, but now I know why I love both of them so much:)
Our one year anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks, I guess that's why I've had all of this on my mind...thanks for letting me indulge:) Sorry for babbling on and on...maybe those drugs haven't quite worn off yet lol.
xo
Jen
I never told many people (I guess I'm telling a whole bunch now lol), but I had surgery a few weeks ago-nothing serious, just an outpatient procedure-and for the first time in my life I was on drugs-a lot of drugs lol as they prepared me to be wheeled into the operation room. Let me just say here that I usually take nothing-no vitamins, no regular medication, a Tylenol for a headache maybe once every two months, that's it, so the meds they injected into my I.V. hit me hard.
And in my silly, confused, VERY relaxed state I realized two things about myself-One-I talk way too much and Two-I married the most romantic man in the world. Here's how it happened-the realization I mean...
Once the drugs started kicking in, my nervousness about going under for the first time disappeared completely, they could have told me they were about to remove a leg and I would have helped them do it. So, of course, I start talking-mostly about all of you lol. I bragged about Heartwarming and how wonderful the books are, I was Amy and Rula's personal publicist as I made each of the nurses promise to buy a copy of your books this month, and I talked about how much I love LOVE.
One of the nurses turned to my husband and said-Wow, you must be quite the romantic if you're married to a romance writer. And she asked me-Is he the inspiration for your books?
Immediately I laughed and said-Are you kidding-this guy is the world's most unromantic man. (Debbie Macomber claims to have him, but really I do).
She said-What? You mean you don't run her a bath and leave rose petals on the floor as a trail?
He said-Nope, I'm the guy with the vacuum cleaning up the mess.
And right then in my fuzzy state-I realized just how wrong I am when I say he is not romantic.
He may never have given me flowers or candy or stuffed animals that would have found their way to a garbage can anyway...His wedding proposal was as practical as it can get-'We're here at Tiffany's in Las Vegas, we may as well just buy the ring now. Just keep it on and I'll pay for it.' And he doesn't interrupt his super stressful, busy workday to call me just to hear my voice...
He does so much more! He believes in my writing ability much more than I do, allowing me the option to stay at home and write if I choose. He bought every superhero costume available in kid size and adult size so he can dress up like superheroes to play with our son. A work-aholic when we met, he no longer works past five so he can be home for dinner with his family. And when a plot idea comes to me as I'm dozing off and too lazy to get up to write it down, he does! You really can't get much more romantic than that.
That's when I also realized that the heroes in my books ARE inspired by him. For whatever reason-readers are loving Luke Dawson-the hero in The Trouble With Mistletoe and now I realize why-like my husband-Luke has an undying love for the heroine, one that never falters or fades, despite the crap she puts him through and he shows it in deep and meaningful ways. I never consciously modeled him after my husband, but now I know why I love both of them so much:)
Our one year anniversary is coming up in a couple of weeks, I guess that's why I've had all of this on my mind...thanks for letting me indulge:) Sorry for babbling on and on...maybe those drugs haven't quite worn off yet lol.
xo
Jen
Jennifer, I'm glad your surgery went well. And what a great discovery to make. Love isn't always expressed in roses and candy. All of those things your dh does for you will count for much more over the long haul. Happy upcoming anniversary.
ReplyDeleteHi Roz! Thanks:) You are so right!
DeleteJen! Well, now I love your husband as well as you. And the man who'll play superheroes with your son is just magical. I'm so happy you have someone so special because you are. Happy First Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThanks Muriel:) I really wish we lived closer-I think we would all get along wonderfully! Maybe the next time we go to B.C., we will take a roadtrip south:)
DeleteThat would be great! Lots of pretty things to see here.
DeleteI want a Heartwarming retreat at your place, Muriel. I'm with Jen, I just know we'd get along.
DeleteOooooo a retreat sounds great!!
DeleteOh Jen! That is so sweet. He sounds like a keeper to me. There are all kinds of romantics. I think men can show their love in lots of ways and many aren't that traditional. LOVE the superhero costumes. Too cute. And thanks for your PR skills while fuzzy xoxo
ReplyDeleteAmy, he really is a keeper. I posted the superhero costume photos to facebook a while ago, they are definitely worth seeing. I'd post them here, but he would kill me lol:)
DeleteAre we scarier than all of FACEBOOK?
DeleteLOL, it's just that he isn't on Facebook;) so I can get away with it there...he sometimes (not often, but sometimes) reads these posts.
DeleteJen, this is the sweetest most romantic post. I bet he thought you were adorable babbling in your hospital bed LOL. Thanks and hugs on the PR. It's a total honor to have been part of your fuzzy talk ;) LOL. And I'm so glad your procedure is over and you can enjoy your upcoming anniversary. Happy early-Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteYou're so cute, Jen :). Next time your sweetie and little one are in town at an RWA meeting, we want to meet them!
Lol, I'm not sure adorable is the right word-seriously, I couldn't stop talking and it's so embarrassing now when I get random flashbacks of the stuff I said:)
DeleteI just reserved our hotel and registered for RWA yesterday! So, yes, you will definitely get to meet them:) xo
Congratulations on your one year anniversary, Jen! And yes, your husband sounds very romantic. He shows his love through actions. Some show them in words, some with presents but your hubbie is a doer. I actually love his proposal and his buying superhero outfits to play with the kids - ahhhhhhh- that just pulls my heart right out of my chest. He's perfect for you and I'm so glad that you had him by your side as you underwent your surgery (and glad you are better, Jen!)
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! His proposal was actually awesome:) It was such a fantastic way to end our first real weekend getaway without Jake. The superhero costumes are awesome, especially on a man who claims to dislike Halloween...and at one point-children! It's hard to imagine now when he's so amazing with Jake.
DeleteHe does indeed sound like a keeper! A great post. I'm glad your surgery went okay.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz:)
DeleteThanks Liz:)
DeleteJennifer,
ReplyDeleteNext time tell us! We are definitely the prayer and "How's our sister doing?" kind of group. I'm glad everything went well :) My hubby isn't very romantic either. And right now he's working graveyard shift which means I don't even get to be with him enough to complain about his not being romantic
Thanks so much Pam!! I didn't tell anyone. I didn't want to worry anyone unnecessarily lol. Graveyard shifts are the worst.
DeleteAh, Jennifer, that's so funny and romantic! (And I'm sorry to hear you had to undergo a procedure.) Give the guy a hug from all of us!
ReplyDeleteThanks Victoria! I told him everyone thinks he is wonderful. So he has given me the okay to post pics lol. Stay tuned!
Delete