It’s been 10 years since my book Meant to Be Mine released. 10 Years!
The hero of this book (Ty Porter) has lived on in the hearts of a lot of readers. Leigh Foster posed as Ty for the cover shoot. He was gracious to answer some interview questions for me back then (which you can find HERE) and just as graciously provided me with an update when I reached out to him recently to ask where life has taken him over the past decade.
“I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years since I posed for the cover of Meant to Be Mine. The memories of that shoot are still so vivid; it’s like it happened just yesterday. So much has unfolded in the past decade. I’ve been lucky enough to carve out a nice career for myself in the world of acting and modeling, which remains my profession to this day. But what truly excites me is a newfound passion I discovered only two years ago.
Although I moved to Chicago 13 years ago, I remained under the representation of my agency in Minneapolis, often making the 450-mile trek for work. It was during one of those drives that a random thought popped into my head: “I wonder if I could bike this distance.” Little did I know at the time, that fleeting thought was the spark that ignited a whole new chapter of my life. It took me a few years, but I finally mustered the courage to give it a shot — and once I did, there was no turning back. I bought a bicycle, packed my bags, and took off. I was hooked right from the start, before I even left Chicago. Nine days later, I found myself in my parents’ front yard in Saint Paul, eagerly planning my next ride.
Since that initial ride, I’ve covered thousands of miles all across the United States. I’ve biked from Pittsburgh to DC, across Missouri, from the Canadian border back down to Chicago, and even ventured into Mexico, spending a week camping alone in the wilderness. In a few days, I’ll be heading to Minnesota to bike the length of the state. Viewing the world from the seat of my bicycle is constantly on my mind; it’s all I want to do. I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed sharing photos and videos from my adventures on Instagram, allowing people to follow along. If any of your readers are interested and want share in my journey, I’d love to have them along for the ride. My Instagram handle is “theleighfoster.”
These past 10 years, since the Meant to Be Mine shoot, have been nothing short of amazing, and I’m hopeful that the next decade will be even better. I can’t wait to pen another update for your readers then. Who knows where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing. The anticipation of discovering what’s next is half the fun!”
Thank you, Leigh! [
Photos re-posted with his permission]
His joy in biking is infectious, isn’t it? What hobby or pursuit is bringing YOU joy lately? Do you remember my annual cover model interviews? (They were always one of my favorite posts of the year.) 🙂
Becky Wade
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I’ve always wanted to be like Jessica Fletcher – riding my bike around a small town. LOL A number of years ago I did the City to Shore Bike Ride for MS (I think I did something like 45 miles that day?). I’m thinking it might be time to get a new bike. HA! I’ve been following his account. Perhaps he’ll find himself doing some directing in the next 10 years.
I’ve also been following his account! And yes. I think it’s time for me to take up biking. (The Jessica Fletcher kind, not the bike for a days at a time and sleep in a tent kind that Leigh does.)
Ten years has been very kind to Ty….ahem I mean Leigh 😉 Your cover model interviews were my favorites as well and would like to see more updates from them.
Yes, ten years has been VERY kind to Ty… ahem I mean Leigh. I’ll have to do another post with an update on some of the other models!
Such an interesting update. I can’t imagine biking that far. However, my daughter might. She and my 15 year old grandson enjoy biking together. They are both adventurous.
I also can’t imagine biking that far! It’s inspiring.
I have always loved your cover model interviews. How fun to revisit one! Wow. That’s a lifestyle I can’t even imagine.
Ditto! I’m hugely impressed that he bikes SO FAR.
I love hearing that he biked across my state of Missouri! So fun to see this update—and hard to believe it’s been that long!
I’ve enjoyed watching you cross states in your camper van!
Yes, I well remember the interviews and enjoyed the “real people “on the covers and still miss that type of cover. I didn’t realize I was drawn to the covers until so many authors have switched to the “ drawings” and it still takes me a while to pick one of those books up ! I must be in the minority as I am seeing them more often as opposed to real people or real scenery.
I completely understand! I think a lot of readers enjoy real people on covers. My favorite part of having real people on my covers was that they were all real couples. 🙂