On my last blog I wrote about the illustrated storybook that my son, Kyle, made for his wife, Tiia, just after they were engaged. Salt & Pepper isn’t a fabricated story. This little picture book is their love story told though Kyle’s eyes seeing themselves as Salt (Finnish Tiia with her blonde hair and porcelain skin) and Pepper (South African Kyle with his dark hair and golden tan). Even the Giant Fork he refers to is real (yes, there is an actual giant fork at the Alimentarium Museum in Vevey, Switzerland, and they sat in front of it).
I’ll reiterate the inspiration behind this book for those who didn’t read my last blog. Kyle and Tiia met on missionary training, but only started dating months after they’d left. On training they had something called Social Policy, which was the organization’s strict rules about dating (or rather non-dating). Even a girl talking with a boy wasn’t allowed unless there was another girl in your company. Salt and pepper (SP) came to be the trainees’ fun way of referring to Social Policy (SP).
Without using up any more of your precious time, here is Salt & Pepper, shared by permission (thank you Kyle and Tiia). I have transcribed the script below each picture for easier reading. (Note: British English used in this story.)
Salt & Pepper—A love story by Kyle Ueckermann
Once upon a time in the land of flavours lived two seemingly normal flavours…
Now Salt, she was something really special. Her beautiful, handcrafted porcelain body made her the talk of the town. But what all the other flavours loved most about her, was the special ingredient deep inside her. She could instantly change the taste of any dinner party with just a touch of her presence.
Then there was Pepper… He was dark, but not in a creepy way. He was just different. And even though he was a little hard-headed, there was something so tasty inside of him. Pepper had the ability to spice up any dish with just a tiny sprinkle of his special flavouring.
For a long time, Salt and Pepper lived a bland existence in their corners of the spice rack, totally oblivious to how mouth-watering they could be together.
On an ordinary day, they discovered they had something in common – they were both do-it-yourself kinds of flavours. Not far from the kitchen where they spent a lot of their time, they had spotted an old table. It was a little rough around the edges. They decided to go on mission together to turn the wooden wreck into something more palatable.
This was the start of something tempting. But because of the social policy ingrained in the old sauces that lived alongside the spice rack, Salt and Pepper kept their flavours pure.
After a few months, they both left the spice rack. Salt returned home where she constantly worried that she would be left on the shelf, that she’d never find her one true flavour – the one who fulfilled her and would complement her for the rest of her life.
Pepper headed off into the world where he became a seasoned traveller. But there was one pure ingredient missing and Pepper realised it was time to spice up his relationship with Salt. He rushed to the land where Salt now lived. It was a land filled with tiny white crystals.
Salt and Pepper savoured every moment they spent together, making flavourful memories. They even carved their names into a rock. Before Pepper had to leave Salt once again, he made sure he spent more than one special moment with her in the shadow of the big fork, making a teenage dream of Salt’s come true.
Salt and Pepper have now become inseparable. One day soon, Salt will become his bride, clothed in the splendorous white of purity. And they will live happily ever after.
“You are the salt of the earth.” – Matthew 5 v 13
Yours Forever…Kyle
Have you ever received a special hand-made gift from a special person in your life? I’d love to hear your stories.
USA Today bestselling author, MARION UECKERMANN’s passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa and are setting their sights on retirement when they can join their family in the beautiful Cape.
Oh, Marion, I love this! Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I’ve received many hand-made gifts during my life, but not nothing nearly as special as Kyle’s gift to Tiia.
Good memories :)
Wow, that is truly special…the story and the people that make the story! Can’t say that I’ve ever had anything as special as that so I think I’ll just be happy for Kyle and Tia! Simply Beautiful!
Thank you Marion for sharing this inspirational creative love story of your children. While I have made many gifts for family and friends – Christmas ornaments, painted sweatshirts, aprons for my parents with grandkids hand prints, and scrapbooks for my husbands 50th birthday, my youngest son and family friends; homemade gifts I received were from my mother (RIP) and my children. One that I treasure is a small Christmas ornament 1993 – my youngest son’s thumb print transformed into a tiny mouse and framed. Thanks and happy writing.
Thanks Kyle for letting your mom share your inspirational love story. As a retired English and creative writing teacher, the talent of today’s youth impresses me. The whimsical pictures are delightful. You are a man to be treasured. A mom with three sons.
And also the cover of this book was very special, beautiful writing burned on leather. Oh and since then there has been so many more hand crafted, special gifts. <3
Tiia is truly lucky to have found such a special guy! Any girl would be happy to receive such a thoughtful, one of a kind gift to treasure!
You have a very special talented young man. God’s richest blessings in your lives. Signed Mom with 3 sons and 2 daughter-in-laws.
What a great love story. So inspiring… this just got the ideas spinning in my romance-writing brain. Love it!
Wow, this was so cute! Something to cherish for a long time!
Thanks for sharing it!
Such a beautiful, sweet gift <3
Thanks for sharing.
I love this so much. What a treasure for them – and for you!
Oh, my. That really touched my heart. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks, Jill. Yes, it really is something special. I clean forgot to add that Kyle had made this special leather cover for the book as well and stitched it together himself :)
Thanks, Kyle, for letting me share your story. Everyone has so enjoyed it. xxx
Kyle is one special, young man, Renate. And the handmade gifts didn’t stop there.
Becky, one of my most special gifts was a letter and two photos that Kyle wrote and gave to me and my husband. I scrapbooked them and framed them.
I’m so glad Kyle and Tiia were happy for me to share, Renate. Your Christmas ornament sounds so special and unique. Wonderful that you’ve been able to preserve it all these years.
Thanks for allowing me to share your story, Tiia. Yes, I only realised afterward that I forgot to mention that gorgeous leather cover he made as well for Salt & Pepper. Kyle never fails to amaze me the stunning and special hand made gifts he comes up with.
Renate, Kyle is really special…super creative, and super romantic. I think he got some tips from his dad though :)
Absolutely, Linda. Kyle is a very special young man. And he and Tiia make such a cute couple.
Amazing what can spark a story idea, Lee. Happy writing.
You’re welcome, Marilyn. I hope one day when they’re old and gray, they’ll be able to read Salt & Pepper to their grandchildren :)
Isn’t it just, Julianne.
Totally, Elizabeth. I am so glad that I kept an electronic copy of Salt & Pepper.
So glad you enjoyed it, Deb.
Thank you for sharing. It is a beautiful story and very touching.
So sweet! Thank you for sharing.
Loved the story, the illustrations and the love that shines through. A very special kind of love story!
At 12,I received a handmade quilt from my grandmother.This was the best gift,I had it on my bed,took it camping, wrapped it around me as I climbed in my favorite tree to read.
The quilt continued to the mission field with me.
After many years of love by a little girl, it fell apart, a piece of love from a grandmother to her granddaughter.
What a sweet story, or should I say savory? Love the part where they can spice up the world….TOGETHER!! :-)
You’re welcome. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Valerie.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ann. Very special, but then Kyle is one of a kind :)
What a special gift, Linda. So glad you were able to enjoy it for many years.
LOL, I guess it is more savory or spicy than sweet, Trixi. But, sweet or spicy, I’m sure you’ll agree it was tastefully done :)
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing. My mother made a beautiful quilt for me for my wedding. It’s such a treasure. She made so many beautiful things during her life and shared them with others. She had 9 children and her sister had 8 children. She crocheted around baby blankets for each of their babies and grandbabies, which numbered in the hundreds before she passed away.
Gorgeous post, Marion. Thanks for sharing Kyle and Tiia’s story with us :)
Sweet story! For one of our anniversaries, my husband made up a scavenger hunt and sent me to several places that were special to us in the town we lived in. At each location was one of our close friends who had the clue that led me to the next place and a letter from my husband to me. At the end of it all, the final clue led me to our home where all our friends and family were waiting to celebrate with us. It was a very sweet trip down memory lane and I cried a lot, especially when I got to our house and all our closest friends were there.
What an amazing gift. I am in awe of the perfect way this describes how finding a mate should be.
I love quilts, Winnie. I gave each of my sons one for their weddings, but sadly they were not handmade. Wow, your mom certainly had a full life, how awesome that you will have her handiwork to treasure for many years to come.
Thanks, Narelle. I’ve always loved this little story of theirs. So glad they were happy for me to share it.
Thanks for sharing your story, Julie. You’ve a special husband there :)
It was an amazing gift, Joelle. Kyle and Tiia are a very special couple.
That is so sweet!
Very unique and talented. You should be proud. :)