Writing Real Romance

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By Elizabeth Ludwig

My husband, were you to pass him in a dark alley, would probably make you want to cross the street. He’s big, he’s German, he can’t see very well so he squints a lot, he’s usually scruffy, and he rides a Harley. He also likes to dress the part. I’m talking leather jacket, skull face shield, and dark sunglasses. Are you getting the picture? Yet he’s the sweetest, most romantic guy I know—at least, that’s what he keeps telling me. 🙂

I’ve often been witness to this softer side of him, but it was never more apparent than during my recent surgery. It was very unexpected and SO scary! Fortunately, my dear husband took very good care of me. Every night, he’d carry me to our room and gently help me into bed. Because I couldn’t lie back on my own, he’d slip his arms around me and slowly lower me onto the pillow. So sweet! When I was ready to get up, he’d hurry to my side and lift me to the floor.

Now, this is just one of the ways he took care of me. I would fill up an entire page if told you about the meals he cooked, the dishes he washed, and everything else he did. Still, his care for me while I was sick showed me much more than his words ever could how much he loves me. As for me? Well, I fell in love with him all over again!

I suppose it’s to be expected that a husband would show kindness and caring to his wife when she is ill, right? But this wasn’t atypical behavior. My husband often texts me sweet messages and tells me he’s thinking of me—just because. He’ll also send me flowers out of the blue or pick up dinner on his way home from work so I don’t have to cook.

I think that’s why I write Christian fiction—because I want to translate to readers that this is the kind of love that lasts a lifetime…not the superficial physical attraction so many other books talk about. Real love is different. It’s sacrificial and active. It survives during the very worst of times and thrives in the best. It is the purpose behind the words, “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.” Most of all, this selfless love is the very thing that our Savior demonstrates toward us every day of our lives and in every moment of undeserved grace. What better kind of love could there be?

What about you? What are some of the romantic things you like to see in books or movies? Or do you have some real life romance moments you’d like to share?

Writing Real Romance by @ELudwig_Author #ACFWBlogs #writing #amwriting Click To Tweet

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and speaker. Her latest releases include Don’t Rock the Boat and Shifting Sands, part of the Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard series from Guideposts. She often attends conferences and seminars where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. To learn more, visit ElizabethLudwig.com.

 

Comments 6

  1. I love this. My Billy’s just a big ol’ country boy. He’s a bit unsophisticated, not entirely aware of societal courtesies, and not well versed in grammar. But he’s also amazingly sweet and romantic.

    One year, for my birthday, he brought my present home in grocery bags. Four of them, to be exact. He’d bought every single one of my favorite snacks–Whoppers, Cheetos, Oreos, among others–all sorts of things I shouldn’t have but still crave. And the kicker? He promised to stay out of them.

    I didn’t hold him to his promise. I needed help eating everything before it spoiled.

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