Over the past few days, I’ve been thinking about what my final blog post for 2012 would be. After much consideration, I decided to end the year the way I began it: with a love story—or two.
The first is not just any ordinary story: It’s the story of my parents and New Year’s Eve. Quite frankly, I would not be here today writing blog posts if my parents had not met on a blind date on New Year’s Eve.
Thanks to my parents’ mutual friend, Fran, they were set up on a blind date in New Jersey. The result of that blind date? Forty-eight years of blissful marriage.
Their story is a great one—and one worth telling. If you don’t think you can meet someone through a set-up or fix-up, you’re wrong. It can often be the best way to meet someone because your friends usually have your best interest at heart.
The second love story is set within my novel, BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE. Michael and Annabelle must reconcile and forgive in order to move forward. I had their best interests at heart, and I wanted forgiveness to transpire on New Year’s Eve.
When you’re in love with love (as most hopeless romantics are inclined to be), you want the very best for your characters, and so, as a fiction writer, I give them the very best I have to offer.
But now the year is over, and I’m sentimental.
It is bittersweet that I must kiss this wonderful year goodbye.
Happy New Year’s, Mom and Dad.
And likewise, Happy New Year’s, Michael; Happy New Year’s, Annabelle. It’s been a rewarding year, but I’ve got another story in the works, and I must focus on giving some love to my new characters, Francesca, Joe, and Gus.
And so, as one love story closes, another is about to begin.
To the Year 2012, I have something to say: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure.
This past year consisted of quite a few milestones for me: I released my first novel in March and watched my book go up on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (thrilling!); I had the distinct pleasure of being selected as the Baccalaureate speaker at Stevenson for the May graduates; my kids participated in swim team over the summer for the first time, and I didn’t go mental; my husband and I celebrated our 15-year anniversary; I taught my first online class; and in November, I traveled to Miami where BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE received an award.
Thank you to those of you who are faithful readers of my blog, and I promise to try my best to keep you entertained in 2013.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
For my mom & dad.
