July 2, 2008
How I Found Real Love in the Society Pages
Written by Jenna Petersen in Jaunty GuestsHi everyone! Yes, I’m baaa-ck! The Jaunties have been nice enough to let me come “home” and post today! I’ve avoided getting Jaunties Quills stuck in me as punishment for being away so long, so I feel that is a triumph in itself. I thought about a lot of things to write about while I was here. I mean, my latest book, Lessons From A Courtesan just came out June 24. Or I could talk about what I’ve been doing since I’ve been away (hint: write, write, write and then write some more).
But I decided not to cover those things. I mean, it’s not like it’s been a big secret to most of you that I had a book coming out. And me telling you about sitting in a chair watching words flick onto a screen is not that thrilling.
So I decided to share with you a story that is about REAL romance. So I write romance novels (duh, Jenna, we know that…). And it’s awesome because I get to take two characters who I like and match them up and watch them go through hell and high water before they can finally be together. At its best, romance reflects the optimism of the human spirit and the hope that we can find everlasting love. But some people say it’s unrealistic and fantasy.
So the other day, I saw something that proved to me that those critics are wrong. And clearly they need love in their lives.
I never read the Society pages in our local paper. We didn’t grow up here, I don’t know a ton of people outside our small circle of friends and honestly it just bores me (we never seem to have those funny ones like you see on Jay Leno or whatever). But for some reason, a couple of Sundays ago, I actually looked at the pages that listed weddings and anniversaries.
And I stumbled into a real life romance.
It was an anniversary listing. The couple had been married for 25 years. On the surface it was typical: a picture from the wedding day and a picture of the couple now. But then it caught my eye. It was very evident that the man in the “today” picture had been in some kind of debilitating accident or had some kind of illness. So I looked at the picture from 25 years ago. There he was, young and healthy and handsome. Filled with hope and joy on the day he married the woman he loved. It was so… sad to me in that moment. How were they to know that something bad would happen to them?
And then I looked at her. On her wedding day, this woman was beautiful and young and smiling in that way that just says “JOY!” Her picture from today… she looked exactly the same. Still beautiful, yes (lucky her), but her eyes still sparkled as she sat with her arm around her husband. Still filled with love and devotion and joy.
And I realized that her picture is what we strive to capture in romances. The kind of love that can withstand tragedy and still be joyful. Because that does exist, it is real and if we’re lucky, we find it and never have to use the “for worse” part of “for better or for worse”.
So have you ever secretly witnessed a real romance like I did? Maybe a moment between two elderly people in an airport or perhaps right in your own home! Share!
5:30 am | Share This
EmilyMcKay Says:
That’s a charming story, Jenna.
I don’t know if this counts are “secretly” witnessing a romance, but …. My aunt and uncle had an amazing relationship. They met when she was twelve and he was fourteen. Two years later, he lied about his age to join the army in WWII. He served three tours of duty, came home and married her within a couple of months. They were married 54 years. They had good times and bad, and their devotion to each other was inspiring. Their story is my favorite romance.
Shana Says:
Jenna! Welcome back! We’ve missed you! Congrats on Lessons from a Courtesan
I’d say my grandparents are a real-life romance. My grandmother was very sick about 5 years ago with shingles. My grandfather, who is very traditional, did everything for her. He cooked, helped her get dressed, helped her bathe…everything. She’s much better now, but he still cooks and helps out. I’m sure he never thought he’d be doing “women’s work,” but he does it cheerfully because he loves her so much.
RobynDeHart Says:
What a great story, Jenna, and thanks for joining us today. It’s great to have you back for a day.
I grew up with that kind of romance in my life, between my parents. They got married a week after my mom graduated from high school and both needed their parent’s permission because they were both younger than the age limit. This May they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. They still hold hands and my dad still brings her flowers. They’re awesome.
Jenna Petersen Says:
These are all such nice stories. See, there can be lasting love. Take that, Oprah!
And thanks for the congrats on LESSONS. It’s a Bookscan bestseller as of this morning.
Buffie Says:
Hey Jenna!!
Aww, that is such a sweet story. I have to admit that most Sundays I actually look at the society section. I think it is fun to read the wedding and anniversary announcements.
Jenna Petersen Says:
Well, thanks for having me ladies!
It’s been fun visiting again.
JennaP