Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! I’m delighted to welcome author Robin W. Pearson to the blog today. She’s sharing about her love story and also offering a wonderful giveaway. Thanks for joining us here at Inspired by Life…and Fiction and congratulations on the release of your debut novel, Robin! -Becky
Thirty years later, Hubby and I are still pointing fingers. I say he asked me out first, and he says I asked him. While we’re a bit cloudy on those facts, we do agree that we ate nearly raw, grilled hamburgers that night, but the company was delicious.
The same is true for our twenty-fifth anniversary dinner. We didn’t like the food that much, and we had to console ourselves by swinging by Harris Teeter for some single-serve dulce de leche ice cream, but the conversation and the time together…so yummy.
Not that every moment has been as easy as choosing a few ounces of Häagen-Dazs at the grocery store. Rather, our life is like my favorite chocolate-covered pecans from Schermer. It only ships them at certain, cooler times of year to ensure their quality, so I savor each precious, hard-to-find morsel.
Just like these salty-sweet treats, our relationship isn’t easy; it’s not something you find everywhere. But it’s worth working and waiting for. And while I’m absolutely sure that Hubby looks at me sometimes and wonders, “Who is this woman God gave me?” our sometimes salty, usually sweet, always flavorful life has been good. So good. Surprisingly so, from day one.
And what has surprised me? Let me count the ways…That we exchanged “I love yous” less than a month after that mysterious first date. Getting married just over a year after graduating college. Raising seven little people and just as many dogs over the years. Moving umpteenth times. Writing a book, homeschooling, adoring our in-laws. That he thinks I’m just as cute wearing my silk cap at 3:00 in the afternoon as I was strolling across the quad all those years—and dress sizes—ago. Blessings upon blessings, all.
Yet, one of the biggest surprises is that we’re still laughing, and not only over old stories and hotly contested memories but over new jokes, adventures, and our ever-evolving relationship that has matured but not grown old. I attribute it to our shared passion—not the heartbreaking emotion Beatrice Agnew, my main character in A Long Time Comin’, felt for the man who abandoned her. Our love is a joyful overflow of our faith—like the gift Beatrice received from the Man who died for her. The Lord keeps us loving and laughing, as much today as we did 11,000 yesterdays ago over a couple of hamburgers.
And I’ll tell you a secret. I think Hubby is still as cute, too. As cute as the day I asked him out. Just don’t tell him I said so.
Giveaway
Congratulations to Sabrina Templin, winner of the below giveaway! Many thanks to all who entered. 🙂
Robin W. Pearson’s writing sprouts from her Southern roots, her faith, and her love of her sweet husband, seven children, and her dog, Oscar. All lend authenticity to her debut novel, A Long Time Comin’. After graduating from Wake Forest University, she has corrected grammar up and down the East coast in her career as an editor and writer that started with Houghton Mifflin Company twenty-five years ago. Since then she has freelanced with magazines, parenting journals, textbooks, and homeschooling resources. Follow Robin on her blog, “Mommy, Concentrated,” where she shares her adventures in faith, family, and freelancing.
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Becky Wade
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congratulations! thirty years is quite an accomplishment. i tweeted @fdp4life.
Thank you! God did it. It went by in a blink.
Robin, I love your love story! May you have many more happy years. My hubby and I have the same dispute about who proposed to who! 🙂
Thank you, Deborah! There are only winners in that particular battle. 🙂
What a precious reflection. I just celebrated 20 and we still joke about who asked who first. 😊 I love that you’re able to savor each moment, regardless the flavor.
Yes, love comes in many flavors. So grateful for the opportunity to taste them all. Happy anniversary to you!
I live in Winston-Salem so am excited to read a novel from a WFU grad!
Go, Deacs!Hope to see you at WordsAWake4!
What a beautiful love! 😀 Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Many thanks! Such precious memories …
Congratulations, Sabrina! You’re the winner of Robin’s giveaway. Woo hoo!!
Woooohooo! I look forward to it! 😀
Such a sweet love story! Congratulations. I’m also incredibly blessed with a love story–35 years strong. 🙂
By the way, I have to mention – I ADORE the cover art of A Long Time Comin’!
Blessings to you! I share your love for the cover. It truly captures the book. I hope you take a look at what’s inside.
What a great testament to marriage and everything that goes with it. Even raising children and the joyful moments as well as the hard. Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful book and blessings upon you.
We’re so grateful for each moment together, the cute and the not-so-cute. And our little people are the icing on our wedding cake! Blessings to you as well.
I would love to win this giveaway. Robin sounds like someone I’d like to have as a friend!
How sweet! Thank you, Cathy 🙂
Thank you, Robin, for sharing your views from a “mature” marriage and love. My marriage is almost 35 years old and I still want to figure out how to make it better. It helps to hear how others like yourself do it.
Every day we learn a little more about each other, about forgiveness, and yes, about love. Like you, I’m blessed to walk alongside others on this journey.
Robin, I read your book Long Time Comin’ and absolutely loved it! I could hardly believe it was your first book! The cover of the book caught my eye and the description drew me in! I also enjoyed reading your love story and I think you and your hubby make a beautiful couple. Looking forward to your next book…are we
going to hear more from “Evie” ?
Oh, Alva, thank you! Tyndale releases my second book Spring 2021. I can’t wait for you to pay another visit to the people of Spring Hope–including Evie.
Congratulations on so many tears together and the fact you’re still laughing together!!may you be blessed with many more.
I tweeted.
*years not tears but my guess is you’ve had a few of those too.
Yes, in these years there’ve been tears of sadness and joy!Many thanks!
Oh! I started seeing this book on Instagram recently and immediately added it to my TBR. It sounds great! It’s amusing that y’all debate who asked out whom. LOL
Thanks for adding me to your TBR. I believe you’ll love the story. And believe me, we “debate” over less-amusing things than that! 🙂
Congratulations on 25 years (We are celebrating our 25 years in September – where has the time gone!!!) and congratulations on your book release! I love your writing style just by reading the blog! 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day!
Many thanks! Indeed, the years do fly by, but that must mean we’re both doing right! I do hope you keep reading.
I so enjoyed your story. Your wedding dress was gorgeous and you both look so happy. Thanks for sharing your story. I’m sure Long Time Comin’ is written with the same enthusiasm. You have an entertaining flair for writing!
You know, my mama picked my wedding dress, and I’m convinced it was wearing me instead of the other way around. I’m saving it for one of my girls. I hope you get the opportunity to read more of my writing in A Long Time Comin’!
So a sweet love story! Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thank you for reading my post. I hope you had a beautiful day with your own loved ones!
That’s definitely special!Congratulations on 30 years!
Thank you! So grateful for each minute. <3
It was delightful to read Robin’s love story! I met Robin through our ACFW chapter in NJ before she moved back south. She is a delight and such a gifted writer!
Thank you for your support and guidance, Carrie! You’re a blessing, as a writer and as a friend. 🧡
You have been blessed indeed!
Yes, God is good! 🙌🏾
Every day! 🙌🏾
I love this! I can’t wait to hopefully one day have a love story of my own!!
I can tell you, I wasn’t looking for him, but God knew exactly who and what I needed. Trust in His perfect plan for you.
Looks like a wonderful book I would love to read. Such an interesting life she has had!
Many thanks! It has been an interesting life, and I pray there are more days and books ahead.
What a wonderful gift God has given each of you in your sweet family–the gift of His love and that of each other! I admire you for all the roles you have so capably filled and would love to read your book.
Yes, He certainly gives good and perfect gifts, including the story He blessed me to tell. Thank you!
I love your blog about your marriage!! Sounds like my marriage to my best friend of 33 years. I’m also excited to start reading your books! The blog introduced you to me. Can’t wait to buy this new book.
Congratulations on your 33-year marriage! I’m glad we’re connected, and I hope you’ll keep reading my work.
What a sweet love story! Married after just one month!?! Wow! Would love to win your book and pecans are my favorite!! Happy Valentines!
Oh, my goodness, no. Mama would’ve had my head. We fell in love right away, but we waited until we graduated from college to get married. But it has been sweet! 🙂
would love to listen to this! had my first date with my husband on valentine’s day 24 years ago!
It sounds like love has been in the air for a long time. Blessings on your marriage!
Thank you Robin for sharing your beautiful love story. There is no sweeter gift for your children than the love shared between their parents. Celebrating 21 years this year for us! I can’t wait to read your new book…I love the title! I’m a Carolina girl who was found in Texas!💕
We’re so grateful we can continue sharing our gift with our little people and pray they pass it on! And trust me, being a North Carolina girl is its own gift.
Congratulations Robin!!
So inspiring – “a love that has matured but not grown old.”
Thank you, LaQwiesha 🙂 I know you can say the same.
Thank you for sharing your love story!
I’m so glad you took the time to read it. I hope you’ll read the book our love helped inspire.
Your sweet relationship is something for us single gals to aspire to. Congrats on your debut novel!!!
Many thanks, Candi! 🙂
Congrats on the debut! I’ve gotten to read some of it but I imagine that the audio is amazing. I also have a fondness for chocolate covered pecans! There is a place about 40 miles from here that makes fantastic dark chocolate coated pecans, but they are expensive and the drive is a construction nightmare past the airport. So, I don’t buy them often.
PS – Happy Anniversary! We just marked our 30 years back in October.
The audio certainly captures the sound of the South–and those chocolate-covered pecans the taste. Congratulations on your anniversary!
Thank you for sharing your love story, Robin. It’s fun to hear how God brings two people together, as no two stories are the same. 🙂
Our own story keeps changing and growing, every day. Thank you for reading!
Hello Robin! That made a good encouraging read today. You spoke of the reality of a beautiful marriage… an amazing gift that needs lots of work and prayer! Thanks friend!!
Yes, marriage takes the work of faith and prayer. I’m glad ours can serve as encouragement to others.
Robin, thanks for sharing your story. Congratulations 🎊 on 30 years!
Thank you! So glad for the opportunity to share.
Happy and blessed Anniversary! Thank you for sharing.
Many thanks! I love inviting readers into our family story.
This is a beautiful story. I read it twice!
Wow, thank you! That’s sweeter than a whole box of chocolate-covered pecans. 🙂
I’ve been seeing this book! Now I’m hungry for chocolate covered pecans!
I hope you’re just as hungry for a delicious book!
Robin, Thank you for sharing your sweet story. What a lovely Valentine post this has been.
Thank you, Jen! I’m glad I got to share it. It was worth Hubby finding out the truth about our first date. 😉
Oh, I love this so much!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story and wise insight.
Deborah, I need to print your post on love and tuck it into the pocket of my Bible cover. Such sweet reminders on what a life in Christ is about, on this day and every day.
One of the prettiest things I have ever seen is your wedding bouquet and dress, thanks for sharing. Your memories are great!!
Thank you! Strolling down memory lane is nearly as much fun as walking down the aisle 25 years ago.
I tweeted!
Thank you for sharing!
Great story! Love the perspective.
Many thanks! When you look back, you can (almost) see forever. <3
This coming June will be our 40th. Married in June and that August we moved to Wake Forest so my husband could attend seminary.
Forty years…how wonderful! Wake Forest is certainly a beautiful area of the state. I hope you also like “calling North Carolina home…”
Thanks for share your love story.
I’m grateful for this chance to bless others as we’ve been blessed.
Sounds like a great book.
I hope you get the opportunity to read it for yourself. Thanks for reaching out!
Inspiring love story. ❤️
God-inspired! <3
Congratulations on your debut novel and your 25th anniversary!
Many thanks! We have lots to praise and pray about!
Love this love story and the Source of it! And this book sounds like a great book!
Yes, He is the Source, our love story’s true Author and Finisher! Please check out the book–God inspired that one, too. 🙂
I loved their love story. This sounds like a wonderful book!
Thank you, Brenda! Love of family is central to the story of A Long Time Comin’.
Sounds like a great book! And the prize of chocolate covered pecans…yum!
Both the pecans and the book are Southern grown!
I’m looking so forward to reading this.
Thank you, Shelli! In the wise, old words of Nike–“Just do it.” 🙂
What a wonderful true love story you’ve shared – thank you for giving your readers a special look into your lives.