Real-life Romance: All the Moments

What does a cold soda have to do with romance? Well, you might be surprised. Guest author Shirley Gould is chatting with us today, talking about the romantic moments that all added up to a romantic marriage. See what you think.

Marrying a hopeless romantic led to amazing moments occurring when I least expected them. He sent me flowers so many times while we were dating, the florist made one of the deliveries herself so she could meet me, the object of his affection.
While living in Kenya, East Africa as missionaries, J.R. had to get really creative. During a rainy season that merged with El Nino, we had lunch at a Chinese restaurant in Nairobi, and I’d forgotten my umbrella. After paying our bill, he slipped out the door. When I stepped out of the restaurant, he had pulled our Land Cruiser onto the sidewalk so I could get in without getting wet. He was my hero.

While working among the Pokot tribe, the chief showed his appreciation for our labor by roasting a camel and putting on a feast. Being in a barren place with the mid-day sun causing temperatures to soar, we sat on a downed log and waited for the meal to be prepared. Perspiration rolled down my back as we conversed in Swahili. The warm bottles of water we had to drink with our roasted camel weren’t very inviting. The women of the tribe poured water over our hands, washing them for us before they served us a bowl with a pile of salt in the middle. Apparently, the camel meat needed a savory touch. The chief used a large machete to carve the camel meat and served it to us on the blade. After being served, the Pokot women showed us how to dip the camel meat in the salt and chew. During the demonstration, J.R. went to his truck and returned with a cold Coke for me to drink with my camel. My hero struck again.
     The toilet paper in Kenya in the early nineties was thick. I called it John Wayne toilet paper because it’s was rough and rugged and didn’t take nothing off nobody. So many mornings I’d find love notes J.R. had left for me on that toilet paper. He would dampen one end and stick it to the mirror for me to find after he had gone. Ten years after he made heaven his home, I still reread them from time to time remembering his love language.    
     When our daughter became critically ill in the third-world country where we lived, she and I were sent to the States for urgent medical treatment. J.R. completed our work assignments and kept our youngest daughter in school until her summer break began. The two of them joined us in America. After six weeks apart, it was a grand reunion complete with ten dozen long-stemmed red roses he brought me. (Kenya grows and provides all the flowers sold in Europe…so he got them cheap.) Flying on airlines with vegetation of any kind causes intense scrutiny at every customs desk…he endured that to bless me with flowers that said ‘I love you.’
     And he loved me well in word and deed. I was blessed among women to be married to a handsome, hopeless romantic…J.R.

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​Shirley Gould is an inspirational speaker, an African missionary, and an author. She’s the founder of Kenya’s Kids Home for Street Children, an orphanage in Kenya. Her passion for missions drives her to share her stories and adventures to inspire others toward fulfilling the Great Commission. 
Shirley has written non-fiction for thirty years and is writing Christian Fiction novels. Her debut novel, The Sahar of Zanzibar, was released in May 2021. On July 25, 2023, Escape From Timbuktu, was released. The sequel, Sunset Over Swaziland hit the shelves on March 23, 2024. On November 19, 2024, The Kissing Ball will hit the shelves. Her novels are sold on Amazon.com. She lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area enjoying her seven amazing grandchildren.

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The Kissing Ball

Wealth and beauty have Angelica Ward dodging paparazzi at every turn. When a photographer's drone knocks her unconscious, she falls into Emerald Lake. Tanner Zarello, the maid's son she's had a crush on for years, dives in and saves her.

After giving CPR, with Angie cradled in his arms, Tanner's feelings for her shift from the friend zone to thoughts of capturing her heart. He will have to prove himself worthy of the heiress to have a ghost of a chance.
When Angie takes on the job of orchestrating events and décor for the Christmas season at the Ward Estate, Tanner volunteers to assist, which thrills her. She has plans this Christmas and is relying on the kissing ball to see her dreams come true. Working with Tanner, she feels protected as she deals with the persistent photographer's antics.

When the paparazzi infiltrate Angie's space, showing stalker tendencies, Tanner apprehends and restrains him until the police arrive. He is arrested and charged.

The danger escalates at the season's last event, and Angie's life is threatened. Will Tanner get there in time, this time? Questions about their social standings, his job assignment, and her feelings for him won't matter-if the paparazzi-turned-stalker succeeds …

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