Hello. Lindi here. Welcome to Inspy Romance 2019, where love and contemporary romance reside.
We’ve talked about so many things together in 2018. Series writings, character building, settings we all love, names for characters, occupations for our heros and heroines. We’ve talked about our personal lifes, loves and losses. It’s cool we can interact and become friends even though we are all over the world.
January is my birthday month and I’m a year older. Maybe wiser? Ha! We’ll see. I do love birthdays and celebrating them. This year I got to celebrate with 40K college aged students worshipping Jesus at the Passion 2019 conference.
No, they didn’t sing happy birthday to me, but Jesus did–through them.
Maybe my love of birthdays has inspired the novel I’m working on.
This novel centers around my heroine’s birthday. (You remember that heroine from last month where I felt God saying she drives an orange jeep? That girl!)
It’s actually a world where your birthday is a central part of your life. Not a self-centeredness, just central. Through a series of events she thinks her father has forgotten her birthday.
Actually, the week leading up to her birthday is nothing but turmoil. She has to put into action things she never thought she’d be dealing with and in the midst of it all she meets West Monroe.
This man seriously challenges her. Seriously makes her rethink her life’s scenario. Add in the tension of a tropical storm, her father’s wedding to a woman she barely knows, and my heroine’s world is falling apart around her.
During her birthday week.
A week that has always been special to her. A week she has treasured since she was eight years old when her mother uprooted her and moved her away from her father. A week she could always count on to nourish and refresh her.
But this year is different.
Very different.
Excerpt from Birthday Girl.
But I come to the ocean the same week in September every year. The week of my birthday.
I always stay with Dad and we have such a great time. But this year, things are different. Dad has a woman living with him. Her name is Glory.
I should be happy. Dad’s been alone since we left all those years ago. And he tells me Glory likes him a lot. But the house is different. No T shirts draped across the back of the couch. No mismatched towels hanging lopsided in the bathroom.
No scent of Old Spice cologne lingering in the air.
Now the house smells like flowers and citrus.
I haven’t met Glory yet. I just arrived a couple of hours ago. Dad was at the house when I pulled into the familiar drive. While I took my suitcase to my room, he made us peanut butter and banana sandwiches, promising me a better dinner. Glory was cooking.
Yay.
Since Dad was on his lunch break, we didn’t linger over our sandwiches, or memories. He asked how Mom was. I told him nothing had changed. When he went back to work at the marina he owns, I walked the couple of blocks to the ocean. My favorite place in the world.
Her favorite place, her favorite day, her favorite everything is about to be turned UPSIDE DOWN.
So I want to know–how do you feel about your birthday? Do you love it? Hate it? Do you celebrate! And this is more amazing as today is Dee Ann’s, birthday! Talk about best friend? The girl who was in the delivery room when my son was born? The girl who helped shape so much of who I am today? This is her! So let’s celebrate–and share!
To anyone who comments I’ll be giving away either a print or e version of 1 of my books–your choice!
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
I love birthdays too. Always a joyful cause for celebration. At least they are in our family. A great excuse to get together – and eat cake.
Hi Lindi and Happy Birthday! Big birthday week in our family. Daughter-in-law’s Birthday was Sunday, youngest son’s birthday is today, and granddaughter celebrates her second birthday Friday. Love my May so much I celebrate for a month. Birthday person has their favorite meal and dessert, plus presents and more. I can relate to Birthday Girls story, I had several birthdays that were not enjoyable. Best wishes.
Hi Lindi and Happy Birthday!! I have never wanted to make a fuss about my birthday, I tend to ignore it, lol….but I do love to celebrate other people’s birthdays and make sure they know how special they are to me!
Happy birthday! I love celebrating mine! I like to plan something that I enjoy doing (this year I wanted to go to the craft store and book store and watch a Hallmark movie) and I enjoy receiving cards. I also love sending cards for other people’s birthdays.
Happy Birthday Lindi!????
Happy Birthday Lindi
My husband takes me out to dinner for by birthday. And I take off work for my birthday and spend the day relaxing.
Mary—And eat cake! Of course!!!
Renate–I LOVE how you do birthdays!! And I like that month long celebration. You can’t go wrong there. And look at all your January birthdays! I always had my favorite meal growing up. Macaroni and cheese! I’d pick it every year! My dad was like “hand me the ketchup, please.” Fun memories–thank you for bringing that up.
The reality of it is, with a December birthday, most times other events take precedence. My parents did not make a fuss over our birthdays while growing up. There wasn’t money to buy gifts nor time for parties. Mom and Dad made sure we were sung to but that often was it. Next year is a milestone birthday for me so I’m hoping to do go somewhere warm to celebrate.
Paula Marie–I love showing people how special they are on their birthday. It’s so much fun. And hey, any cause for celebrating, we’ll take, right?
Ellie–You brought up one of my favorite aspects of birthdays–the cards!! I don’t care if I ever get gifts, just give me a card. I love getting, reading and buying cards. I’m so picky–they have to say just the right thing. Thank you for sharing that–:)
Thank you, Susan!!
Sheila—That’s a great idea taking the day off work for your birthday! And we go out to the same Italian restaurant every year–you can eat free if you go on your actual birthday. It’s good food so it’s a win-win!
Arletta—December birthdays are tough. My daughter was due on December 25th–people asked me “Why did you do that?” I didn’t know I would get pregnant when I started trying right away. Then she had her son on December 31st. So, we are in the December birthday thing as well. I do try and make sure we celebrate her. She ended up being born on the 20th. A little early.
Going somewhere warm to celebrate sounds fabulous!! I’m going to claim that for you–that it will happen. Enjoy those milestone birthdays. They’re fun!!
I love birthdays. My mom was born on my grandmother’s birthday. My grandmother is rather self-focused and didn’t make a big deal of my mom’s birthday EVER. So, when my mom grew up and started having me and my brothers, she sort of vowed birthdays would be a thing. Everyone gathers together for each person’s birthday. The birthday boy or girl gets to pick the meal and dessert we enjoy as a family. And, my mom always has some sort of gift to give. Birthdays in my house growing up and today are pretty exciting times of celebrations. So, I love birthdays.
I feel great about my birthday! I will be 56 in March and in the best shape ever! Thank you kindly!
Birthdays are special in my family. We have a joke now, that my husband started. Since we only ask for THE BEST on our birthday, when we taste a new dessert or entree, we know it’s only ordinary if someone says “It’s good, but I wouldn’t want it for my birthday!” LOL!
I love this idea of everything going wrong at her birthday! All holidays were special to me, especially my birthday. But somewhere in the teens I finally realized that things aren’t always perfect even on my birthday. My 13th, 16th, and 18th birthdays were all disappointing. Not bad, and my mom tried to make them special, but I was embarrassed by some little things (I was too easily embarrassed).
Now that I’m getting older, birthdays just aren’t that big a deal anymore. For my last birthday, my 40th, I specifically requested nothing big be done. Surprise parties are not my thing and I didn’t want to be reminded that I was getting old (I always thought 40 was the start of old). ? My husband just took me out to dinner and then took me to Hobby Lobby to buy a couple presents. It was a nice date without being a big deal. But I was disappointed that nobody got me a cake, which I always do for everyone else. But, again, it wasn’t a big deal.
My birthday is this coming Saturday! I’ve always enjoyed celebrating. I was real thankful that both my mom and my mother-in-law passed away AFTER my birthday, so I have one last birthday memory with each of them. My first married birthday, my husband took me to Hawaii and bought me a lei…on the way to his military posting in Taiwan! :-)
Nicole–I love this–reversing the way things were going. Birthdays are a time for celebration and it sounds like your family has it down! Enjoy!!
I feel that way too. I’m eating better, exercising. I love feeling great as I get older. And I thank God every day for it. :) Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Regina–How funny! What a great way to measure food. I love it.
Lila—I have friends that surprise parties wouldn’t be a great idea for. :) When I turned 50 my kids threw me a party. I knew about it and even gave them the guest list. But they surprised me with a note from David Crowder, my fav singer, and my brother flew in from Seattle. Total surprise! I was crying. And because I’m an author all my kids wrote a “chapter” in a book and read it out loud at the party. Tears!! BUT–it was fun and I’ll remember it. I still haven’t reread the book–which is only about 6 pages–because I know I’ll cry.
Your 40th birthday sounds fun–especially because it was what you wanted. I’m okay without a cake, but maybe next time you’ll get one–I hope you told them you missed it!! :) Thank you for sharing one of your milestone birthday stories.
Margaret–Happy early birthday!! I’m glad you had your memories with your loved ones before they passed away. And what about that first married birthday–how special! I know you’ll always remember it. Thank you for sharing!
My birthday is Halloween and I love it. Now that I am older I usually celebrate by going trick or treating with the grands and dinner after with children and grands. Some of the grands are getting older so this year we are going to Louisiana where some of the young ones live.
Happy Birthday Ladies!!! Wishing you lots of blessings in 2019!
I prefer to escape with my hubby for my birthday – romantic giveaway :)
Hi Pam!
That sounds like a great way to celebrate a Halloween birthday. It is different trick or treating with younger ones as compared with older ones. Thanks for stopping by the Inspy blog.
Natalya—Hi–give me a romantic getaway anytime! I’m trying to plan one for my hubby’s birthday. I’m confident he won’t read this–so it will be a surprise!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDI! HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT DAY! BIRTHDAY’S ARE FUN SO ENJOY YOUR DAY! AND I AM LIKE YOU AS LONG AS I JUST GET A CARD OR MY CHILDREN CALL AND TELL ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY I AM FINE!
Happy January birthday! I like celebrating the birthdays of younger people and of course my mom’s. For me, I just need some cake!!
Happy January birthday! I like celebrating the birthday’s of younger people and of course my mom’s! For me, I just need chocolate cake!
I usually don’t celebrate but this year I went to Gandy Dance Theater with 7 friends to see the Christmas show.
Happy and blessed birthday.
Hi Lindi! Birthdays are a time where my family gets together to celebrate. My birthday is February 9 and I cannot believe I will be turning 50. I am looking forward to it though! My mom always gets me a red velvet cake , which is my favorite!
Happy birthday!! My daughter’s was January 9 and unfortunately she had to have hand surgery that same day, poor thing! We hope to celebrate with her this weekend instead. :)
I usually celebrate by going out to dinner with my family. We usually keep birthdays pretty low key.
Sarah—Yay for cards, right? Thanks for visiting Inspy Romance. :)
Linda-I like that–celebrating people younger than you. :) I’m in! And cake–yes–cake!
Lucy–sounds like a great birthday–I love spending mine with friends. :)
Kerri–Happy early birthday! My hubby’s is the 7th. And I have other friends that have Feb birthdays. Great month. I’m okay with Red Velvet. I can take about 2 bites-it’s pretty rich. But I’m glad you get your favorite cake. :)
Susan–Yikes! Surgery on a birthday is not a fun birthday. I pray she’s recovering well–and that you can celebrate soon. :)
Jessica–we tried the going out with family–like all who had birthdays getting together for 1 dinner, but oih! It was like 36 emails back and forth never landing on a date. We stopped that. Crazy, isn’t it? I’m glad your family can go out, though. :)