Hello!
It’s been a very long time since I posted, but believe me when I say I hope – no, I believe,
it will have been well-worth the wait…
My recent time, thoughts, and energy have been poured into
writing and editing my brand new book. It’s entitled From This Day Forward…, and
I cannot wait to fill you in on the who, what, where, when, why, and how of this
beautiful project.
For more years than I can count, I’ve been drawn to
listen as people told me their personal stories. While I do enjoy a
variety of subjects, love is by far
my favorite. When I meet new friends, I often ask about their relationships,
their marriages, their personal love stories. I enjoy hearing how a couple met, what happened next,
where they were when they fell in love, got engaged, what type of wedding they
planned, and much much more.
However, with a divorce rate that’s climbing higher each and
every year, I started to wonder… what is it that keeps certain couples together
for 10, 25, 40, 50, (or more) years…? What
are the tools of a truly great marriage? Todd and I will celebrate 37 years of wedded
bliss this September, and I know that we’re far from perfect. So, with that said,
even we could afford a few new tools
to place in our personal fix-it kit.
I got to thinking about some of the strongest marital
relationships I know, and figured they might hold some of the best and wisest answers.
I gathered up my courage, and asked each of them to sit down with me for an interview.
At first, I thought they might turn me down. They all said they didn’t think
they were ‘all that special,’ or that anyone would be interested in anything
they had to say. But I disagreed. How can someone celebrate 58 years of happy
marriage, and have nothing interesting to share? It’s simply not possible!
I sat down with eight individuals or couples, and recorded
our conversations. I asked them what works (or worked, as the case may be) in
their own marriages. Their answers were as varied as their individual
personalities; but interestingly enough, some of their responses were quite similar,
as well. The one common thread that each couple shares is that they all have a
strong faith and trust in God – a firm foundation, indeed.
Each interview lasted, on average, about five hours. I then went
home and transcribed my notes, which also took seven to ten hours – one, longer.
After that, I needed to weave our talks into cohesive, chronological stories. I
mean, we all know how conversations go, right? We start talking, but then we
forget an important part and need to backtrack, then we spring ahead again… Let
me just say that this job of mine became quite an adventure! (Yes, an adventure,
and I truly loved every minute!)
I’m excited to announce that most of my friends here on
Facebook and Twitter, will recognize some
of the couples I interviewed. My youngest couple was in their 20’s at the time
we spoke, and I have one in their 30’s, one in their 40’s, two in their 60’s, and
three in their 80’s and 90’s.
I’ll finish this post by getting serious for a moment. I
really had no idea that this project
would affect me as much as it has. Listening to each of these eight stories,
hearing their joys and their sorrows, what worked and what didn’t, their wise
words of wisdom… Believe me when I say that this project has left me a changed
woman. What an amazing resource these
couples are; and because of their willingness to share in this book project,
they will remain so for years to come.
From This Day Forward…
is very close to completion, and I hope to have final approval within a
couple of weeks. Please watch for future posts from me as I announce its
release, and how you'll be able to order your own copies. In the meantime, please keep me (and all of this) in your prayers. It really is special. Until
we blog again…
God’s Blessings!
Katie
Katie Kolberg Memmel is the author of two books: “Five Fingers, Ten
Toes – A Mother’s Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference” and “Silly
Stories and Sentimental Stuff.” Both are available through Amazon as both an
electronic and paperback version. For more information, visit her website at www.katiekolbergmemmel.com
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