We always hear about how life is not like a romance novel. That romances are pure fantasy and not at all “real.” Well…here’s the real deal…
There
was once a teen in high school who enjoyed the company of a very pretty girl.
Every day during lunch period they’d walk the grounds of the school and she was
so nice that she would point out lots of other girls that he could ask out. She
knew there were plenty who wanted to see more of her friend. Nothing came of
their good friendship because the nice, pretty girl was spoken for and had a
long-term boyfriend who went to another school.
They
went their separate ways, she to a college far away, and he to university,
where they both excelled. They launched their careers and the pretty girl lived
in a different city with her long-term boyfriend. The man returned to their
hometown and succeeded in business.
Sometimes,
the old friends would chat the night away at parties hosted by old friends in
town, while the long-term boyfriend was the life of the party.
Eventually, after the pretty girl realized her boyfriend was still a boy and not a man, they broke up. After years of being attached, the pretty girl saw that she’d been looking at the wrong man to share her future. The real man she wanted had been there all along, kind, considerate, and patient.
At
a wedding of old friends, the man waited for the pretty girl to arrive. He
paced and worried about if she was bringing a date. (Buddies reported he was in
a heck of a state.) Of course, she didn’t. She went, hoping that he’d be there
alone and maybe, just maybe, something would spark to life between them…
And here we have three standard romance tropes: Friends to Lovers, Second Chance at Love, Small Town Reunion (at a wedding no less) with a happily ever after ending. And it’s all true! My daughter and her husband now have two little boys, two thriving businesses, and life is grand.
Happy reading!
What a great post! And a reminder to readers that Romance is Real.
ReplyDeleteYes, romance is real. My family is full of stories!
DeleteWhat a sweet love story! I love this... and I believe! I reconnected with my high school sweetheart 42 years after we broke up (my fault), and we have been together now for three years!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I love hearing this! Those early feelings get packed away...but not expunged. I’m glad you were able to pull yours out of storage!
DeleteI loved this story! This is why I read romance. It just gives me all the feels.
ReplyDeleteThe women in my family history have lots of romance the second and third time around after happy marriages. I truly believe...
DeleteI think romances are very true to life. We get the ideas from real life and tweak them after all. And I loved your Welcome series!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kari! Coming from you it means a lot! Return to Welcome has a lot fo strong characters.
DeleteHope springs eternal.I'm a believer in second chance romances. I don't think that feeling ever completely goes away. Love the title.
ReplyDeleteThank you Marcia!
DeleteGreat post, Bonnie. And a great bargain for your readers to snap up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a sweet story! And I love that you used it to inspire Finding Mercy.
ReplyDeleteThanks! My family is full of stories.
DeleteWhat a delightful story, Bonnie! Loved it and loved the fact that it was TRUE!!
ReplyDeleteThe tip of the iceberg... I should share more sometime.
DeleteLove true stories and she shared all this with you. Good daughter. Is there a sequel?
ReplyDeleteAre you asking if there's a book 2? That would be Loving Logan...the hero's sister from Finding Mercy. She's one of my most controversial heroines. She has children from different dads...and I think she's unique in that way. Readers love her though!
DeleteI love romance for this reason. Great post!
ReplyDeletedebby236 at hotmail dot com
I LOVE IT, Bonnie! Such a great happily-ever-after story! ❤️
ReplyDelete