I have been asked by my amazing Golden Heart sisters to participate in a monthly Writer Wednesday’s blog party. It will be like reality tv for romance writers where we share bits of ourselves with our readers and fellow authors.
Today’s topic is in honor of my 2012 GH sister (Yay, Firebirds!) Kat Cantrell whose second book in Harlequin Desire’s Newlywed Games series was released on April 1st. So, to celebrate, all of the participants are discussing one highlight (re: disaster) of their wedding day. Since I will be married 29 years this June, I think it’s time to discuss what really happened on that amazing, wonderful, and incredibly stressful day.
On June 14, 1986, I married my husband in Pompton Lakes, NJ. Recently graduated from West Point, my husband was a junior officer in the U.S. Army. Since none of us had money, we’d agreed that all five of the ushers, and the extra men who would hold up our arch of swords, would wear their Army blue uniforms. That ended up being a good call.
The groomsmen and sword holders were my husband’s West Point classmates, and they’d all gone off to different duty stations. So we were excited to see them again. It was going to be a small class reunion. Except when we chose the date, we had no idea that June 14 was also Flag Day. I’d never even heard of Flag Day. Three days before the wedding, we heard from one of the groomsmen that he had Flag Day duty that coming Saturday.
And like the plague sweeping Medieval Europe, our groomsmen fell, one by one, to Flag Day duty. I’d resigned myself that I’d have a row of pink-dressed bridesmaids and no groomsmen at all. And forget the arch of swords. I’d be lucky if my husband’s brother, a Navy officer, could still be the best man.
Then an amazing thing happened. My husband had just transferred to a Combat Engineer Company at Fort Dix and hadn’t met many of the officers yet. But the XO had known my husband at West Point. And when he heard about our predicament, he collected a bunch of junior officers, made them wear their Army blues, and shoved them into a car. Then he drove them two hours to the wedding. And a few minutes before the ceremony, he and my Navy brother-in-law took the men behind the church where they practiced the sword arch.
When my husband and I walked through that arch, it was the first time for all of us.
And when those men–who I’d never met–showed up to be ushers and work the arch, they became life-long friends. I learned that day that sometimes disasters end up as blessings.
Now I’d love to hear from you. Any wedding highlights (re: disasters) you’d like to share?
Congratulations, Kat, on your newest release! The Newlywed Games is a fabulous series! (Just click on the cover for a buy link.)
From Fake To Forever:
Bride: Meredith, soon-to-be co-owner, wedding dress business
Marital Status: Victim, Vegas wedding mix-up
Action Required: Divorce, ASAP
After one night of tequila and sex, their impromptu Vegas wedding shouldn’t be valid. But Meredith Chandler-Harris just discovered she’s still tied to irresistible businessman Jason Lynhurst. She needs out of their marriage, but to become his company’s new CEO, he needs her as a bride. Let the newlywed games begin.
From Ex To Eternity:Marital Status: Jilted at the altar
Action Required: Revenge on the runaway groom
Two years after waiting at the altar for Keith Mitchell, Cara isn’t ready to meet him again, much less work with him as the consultant on her bridal fashion show! For his part, a misunderstanding sent him running, but now that he knows the truth, and they’re spending long days working together, he wants her back in his bed. Will Cara use their passion to gain the ultimate revenge? Let the newlywed games begin.
Now it’s time for the blogroll! If you have a chance, please visit some of my favorite romance authors/GH sisters and hear about their wedding highlights (re: disasters) as well.
Historical Romance Authors
Kathleen Bittner-Roth — http://kathleenbittnerroth.com/blog/
Wendy LaCapra — http://www.wendylacapra.com/blog
Inspirational Romance Authors
Karen Fleming — www.kdfleming.com
Kristen Ethridge – http://kristenethridge.com/
Novels with Romantic Elements Authors
Natalie Meg Evans – http://nataliemegevans.com/natalie-meg-evans-blog-site
Romantic Suspense Authors
Carol Post – http://www.ghfirebirds.com/
Jean Willett — www.jeanwillett.com
Paranormal Romance Authors
Kay Hudson – http://kayhudson.com
Pamela Kopfler – http://www.ghfirebirds.com/
Contemporary Romance Authors
Tammy Baumann — http://www.tamrabaumann.com/
Jamie Wesley — www.jamiewesley.com/blog
Kat Cantrell – http://katcantrell.com/blog/
Priscilla Kissinger – http://www.ghfirebirds.com/
Lauren Christopher – http://mizwrite.com/
