Real-Life Romance: The Heart of Romance

For my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary, all the granddaughters got together and sang "Little Things Mean a Lot." It was true then, and it's true now. Check out this sweet story from fellow Scrivenings author, Cindy Bonds. I think you'll see what I mean. Also, she's offered to do a giveaway, so make sure you read all the way to the end!

Romance can be something different to each person and that is where the magic is. I’m reminded of Cogsworth on Beauty and the Beast: “There’s the usual: flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep…” The half-hearted romantic guidelines that woman tend to roll their eyes at and walk away from.
Romance isn’t just a phrase or word used to epitomize true love. At least, not in reality! Life is busy, chaotic and then there’s kids, jobs, school, sports, and everything else. Romance is an action, a break in the chaos to provide our spouse with a spark.

​When we want more for the other than ourselves, we yearn to make the other happy in any way possible. As the Beast did, we look to the inside, the heart of the matter. Of all the things in this world that could be given, what would the heart of my partner want the most?
One of the moments I will share is after we had been married about four years. Still in college, my husband had changed majors and I was working full time. Money was absent and we were both trying to navigate the ‘we have no money but still want to show each other we care’ stage. I’m sure some of you have been there as well!
I had mentioned one time that my Bible was an older one and I enjoyed using his study Bible much more than my own. He decided to get one for me for my birthday.
He called a friend and was walking through the store, trying to decide what kind of study Bible to purchase: a woman’s Bible, a Bible similar to his, which version I would like, etc. He said he got off the phone and saw a Bible on the shelf. Picking it up, he immediately decided he had to get it for me.
I remember when he gave it to me, I was surprised.
“I saw that one and had to get it for you,” he said as I took it from the box.
It was the first time I realized he did know me. It wasn’t a study Bible or a women’s Bible. This Bible was rusted red with vine décor and my name embossed on the front. It was so very ‘me’ I remember saying, “you do know me,” in surprise.
Something so simple, yet to me, if I had to pick any Bible in that store, that is the one I would’ve chosen. It’s not enough to know likes and dislikes, favorite movies and trivial knowledge. It’s that when he saw it, he instantly thought of me. He knew it was exactly what I would pick.
That’s the heart of romance. Knowing exactly what your partner cares for, what makes them tick, what epitomizes who they are. It’s a great reminder I have carried with me going on twelve years since that birthday.

​Sweet, right? Cindy has a brand new book out, and she's going to give a copy to one of my readers. Want a chance to win? Leave us a comment below. What's something your spouse or partner has done that proved they really knew you?

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​Cindy is a Semi Finalist in the ACFW Genesis contest with her new published novel, Hostage. She lives in rural Arkansas with her husband and two kids. Although writing is relatively new to her, she enjoys all forms of creative outlets such as scrapbooking, drawing, painting and photography. She loves tension filled scenes and characters that are working through their faith in real life scenarios.
You can read more about Cindy on her website, CindyBonds.com and join her on Facebook at her author page @CindyBondsAuthor.

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Hostage
 
Her confidence shot, Agent Macy Packer desperately wants to go back to her regular life, before she was taken hostage. To forget the pain, the fear and forget the man that helped her through all of it, then disappeared.
Kane Bledsoe is finally healed, his scars serving as a reminder of his time in prison. But all he can think about is the blue-eyed woman that saved him. She had saved them all and left him with a burning hope.
When a chance meeting and attack proves Macy is once again a target, Kane decides to do what he can to protect her. But as the familiarity of their enemy grows, so does the connection between them.
Kane will have to decide how far he’s willing to go in order to protect Macy. Can he risk captivity and torture a second time in order to save her?

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