There’s nothing more gratifying than when readers reach out via email or messenger. Many write to let us know how much they enjoyed one of our books. A few ask about what they need to do to become authors. Occasionally we’ll hear from someone who didn’t like something we wrote (Sorry!) Or found a typo (we’ll fix it ASAP!). Occasionally someone shares a book suggestion (We don’t take outside ideas, so you’ll need to write it yourself, but we’ll gladly cheer you on!)
Recently, though, we received a message that stopped us in our tracks. The reader’s name is Barb, and here’s her first sentence:
"I read your new book in two days because it was the story of my life."
Wow! The book she is referring to is Christmas Comeback. Now remember, we write fiction, not biography. How could our little story be someone else’s? We couldn’t wait to find out.
"In the fall of 1994, I was a burned-out chemistry teacher who agreed to return to the classroom for one more year. That same fall the school hired a new assistant principal with plans to promote him after a couple years. As the year progressed a friendship developed. Then it became even more."
You probably already see where this is heading, but we’ll leave it to Barb to carry us forward with her story.
"At the start of the next school year the district’s administration told the assistant principal that he and I needed to stop seeing one another if he wanted that promised promotion."
Leave it to those people at school headquarters to interfere with a burgeoning romance! They underestimated the power of love and friendship.
"Over the course of the next year, friends in the know often invited us to private social gatherings. And, since his family lived a couple hours away, there were frequent out-of-town trips for visits, concerts, plays, or sporting events."
Bravo Barb! Way to persevere! Now we’ll allow her to tell you the rest of the story.
"I eventually took a two-year leave to lead professional development activities across the state. This eased the situation back home and he was named principal. But when I returned to the district, we were no longer free to be seen together around town. We traveled a lot during the summers and holiday breaks. He encouraged me to pursue my doctorate in education. And of course, friends and family continued to welcome us into their homes. After two (long) years I finished my coursework and moved into administration in another district. We were separated by many miles, so for six years we spoke every day and spent weekends together. It wasn’t until we retired that we could be together, free from the scrutiny of silly rules and prying eyes. We began second careers at a small midwestern university."
Are you cheering for them finally being together? We were. Sadly, life’s last final chapters don’t always have the benefit of a happy ending.
"The relationship continued until his death in 2015 from pancreatic cancer. It is so nice the book had a happier ending."
Barb assures us, however, that there were many happy moments. She was also kind enough to include a picture from early in their relationship. The love jumps from the page, don’t you think?
Barb, we love you and thank you for allowing us to share this touching love story with our readers.
