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When I have a release to promote, the number one request I receive from bloggers is to share what true event, if any, inspired the book. Last month I shared that after a bout of bronchitis/sinus infection (which didn’t leave and got worse!) the praise was I revised the first novella I wrote after becoming a Christian.
Match Made in Heaven is that novella, and it releases April 19. Although fiction, there are definitely some true experiences that I used in the book.
First, here’s what Match Made in Heaven is about:
Beth Prescott wants to make a difference with the senior citizens she serves as their volunteer coordinator, but the matchmaking efforts leave her guarded. She’s experienced too much pain to make that leap again.
Dean Kellerman returns to the Finger Lakes area to help his grandfather and heal his own broken heart. He’s recommitted his life to Christ, and doesn’t want any distractions.
When his grandfather needs assistance with a senior program, it places Dean right in Beth’s path. Can these two surrender their pasts to Christ and have faith in each other and their future?
When I wrote this, I was single and a new Christian. I was definitely creating Dean with what I thought a Godly man would look like after walking away from the faith he grew up with. He was pure fiction because I had no point of reference. Beth was a different story.
Like Beth, I worked at a senior center and placed them into not-for-profit volunteer assignments. I didn’t have grandparents growing up, so I was suddenly given probably 200 by the time I left the position. Once they heard I was single, the games began. There was always the talk of “You should meet my son/grandson/nephew/neighbor,” but there were a few bold enough to take those boys and drag them to me.
In one instance, one young man sat in the corner of my dark office waiting for me. He was a new to the area thanks to a job with the Salvation Army and drove the bus. One of the volunteers I cared for was assigned to the Salvation Army and got to know this driver. She was a tough lady and next thing the driver knew, he was in my office waiting for me. What my volunteer didn’t tell him I was probably four years older than him. He had such a baby face. He didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want him there. But, he was new in town, so I offered to share places where young people would like to go. I was pretty sure the senior center wasn’t the place for him.
The other instance that I didn’t use in the book but remember well was a colleague who worked in the adjacent office. She was a senior citizen who did not like that I was single. She had a boyfriend and felt I should as well. They had been out to dinner one night and met the chef. They thought he was perfect for me. Oh, how I hated the idea. They would NOT give up. So, off to a fancy restaurant in Watkins Glen I went. The picture you see in this post is very similar to the view I had that evening in Watkins Glen. Once I met my husband, we actually sailed there.
I knew immediately this chef was not my heavenly match. I saw the mischief in his eyes and as he talked, I knew party was a big part of his lifestyle, and I no longer lived that way. I thanked my friends for thinking of me and figured they would never bother me again—that meal cost them $60 as I recall.
There are so many things I love about God’s ways, and right up there was the way He matched my husband and me together. Once we met, the seniors were very protective of me. They asked his name, and Arduini is a known name in my hometown. Tom’s dad was a beloved musician, the “Dean Martin” of our city. They immediately embraced our relationship and all the matchmaking ceased.
I’d love for you to get to know Dean and Beth better. Here’s a little excerpt.
CHAPTER ONE
The automatic main entrance doors squealed as Beth Prescott failed to make a discreet arrival. With a groan, she searched for her office door key and click-clacked past the Hammondsport Senior Complex front desk.
Activities Director Wendy Bass chuckled as Beth scurried by. “Did you hit the snooze button too many times?”
Beth kept her stride. “I mixed up AM and PM.”
Wendy shook her head and held up a folder. “I found these near the copier. I think they belong to you.”
Beth stopped and turned. Sure enough, her handwriting was on the front. Intake papers she needed for her outreach appointment. The first of many throughout her day. “What would I do without you? You’ve rescued me so many times since I started this job.”
Wendy reached across the front desk and passed the folder off. “No worries. I had a lot of help when I began here. It’s a lot to learn.”
Beth balanced the folder as she maneuvered her purse and steadied the office key in her right hand. Her venti mocha still hadn’t kicked in with the energy level she needed to leave on time for Katy McGlen’s home visit. Although the senior citizen was as sweet as the caramel Beth added to her morning drink, Beth hated being behind schedule.
She turned the corner and found her colleague, Ray Jenkins, at their shared office door, his key already in the lock, twisting it to the unlocked position. “How’s the weather out there, Beth?”
Beth tossed her office lanyard back in her purse. “Humid. My last visit is at the Grapevine Nursing Home outside of town. I probably should’ve scheduled that earlier. The circulation in that place isn’t the best.”
Ray nudged the door open and gestured her inside. “No, you were right. You always want to make the nursing home visits the last of the day.”
Beth took a tentative step before turning toward Ray. “Why?”
He sighed, etches of his seventy years tightened across his face. “Those visits are the hardest. The residents don’t have a lot of visitors and they get lonely. Or, dementia has them believing you’re their daughter or granddaughter and they want you to stay.”
The information zoomed from her brain to what felt like a heavy brick that sank to the bottom of her stomach. “Thanks for the heads up. I definitely want those meetings at the end of the day so I can process it at home.”
The older man shuffled toward his desk, about to turn on the lights. “By the way, you have a visitor. He’s waiting in the billiard room.”
Beth bit her lip, certain she hadn’t scheduled anyone. “Do you know who?”
Ray’s crystal blue eyes twinkled. “Another grandson.”
Do you have any matchmaking stories?
Julie Arduini loves to encourage readers to surrender the good, the bad, and ---maybe one day---the chocolate. She’s the author of ENTRUSTED: Surrendering the Present, as well as ENTANGLED: Surrendering the Past. The last book in the series, ENGAGED: Surrendering the Future, is coming soon. She also shares her story in the infertility devotional, A WALK IN THE VALLEY. She also blogs every other Wednesday for Christians Read. She resides in Ohio with her husband, two children, and chocolate stash. Learn more by visiting her at http://juliearduini.com.
What an inspiration for a story. Some people just do love match making.
Hi Julie, you must have spent a lot of time with a polite smile and gritted teeth!! I cannot imagine enjoying someone trying to set me up (play matchmaker). I do however, thoroughly enjoy reading about matchmaking attempts in stories-can make for some humorous moments:)
Blessings:)
What fun stories, thank you for sharing!
Hi Julie! Thanks for sharing. As a young woman, I was matchmaker for two of my girl friends at their request. In my home church several folks tried to match me up, which I resisted, because I wanted to go to college. I agree with Wemble that matchmaking attempts make for an intriguing and often humourous story line. Best wishes. Enjoy your weekend.
I really enjoyed the excerpt!
It was frustrating at the time, but now I find it a sweet memory. Have a great weekend!
Back when I was married to my first husband, I worked down the hall from a really nice guy and he was very good looking. My sister was single and I thought they might make a nice couple but I never actually got around to matchmaking, although I did mention him to her. Fast forward a bit, my husband decided he didn’t want to be married anymore. It tore me up but we divorced. Circumstances worked out that the nice man down the hall became my boyfriend, then my husband (of 29 years as of this April 22nd). He got me through the aftermath of my divorce and has been there for me ever since. That’s my only matchmaker story.
Wemble, you are exactly right! The one that was waiting there in my dark office really startled me! Thanks for stopping by today!
My pleasure, Paula Marie. I’m glad you enjoyed them. Have a great weekend!
Hi, Renate! Did you find success as a matchmaker? That sounds like a fun story right there!
Thank you, Lori! I appreciate that.
Sherri, I hate that you endured pain to find happiness, but I love how that worked out. That would be an amazing book!
I worked in. Ursinf homes when I was very young. I didn’t have trouble with match makers u til I began working at a hospital! Then it was always a joke about getting a bed bath… I hated those!
The books sounds fabulous!
Oh my… sorry! Fingers crazy. I meant I worked in nursing homes when I was very young…
Thanks, Dalyn! I can just imagine the hospital banter. Thanks for stopping by!
Playing matchmaker sounds so much like an American thing and I’ve read so many interesting stories about it. Apparently real life resembles fiction… Thanks for sharing
this is a very inspiring post. isnt it wonderful how God uses our lives to make them better?
My family remained friends with one of our pastors after they moved to a new church. One summer when I was home from college, my mom and I went to visit them. They had invited a young man there (obviously to meet me). I found him very interesting, but alas, he thought I was too talkative. (True.) I met my husband many years later when my roommate introduced us. She was not matchmaking just being friendly to the new guys who had moved into our apartment complex.
Priscila, I never thought of it as an American thing, but I think there’s truth to that. Matchmaking does make for great fiction, and some real happy endings, too. Have a great weekend!
Hi, Lori!
I agree! Thank you for reading. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
Merrilee,
Your comment reminds me of this—God is the best matchmaker of them all!
The most memorable time that someone tried to match me was when my boss thought he knew someone perfect for me because he had two cats (and I love cats). He brought him in to our office under the guise of giving him a tour so we could meet and he ended up looking like he could be my grandfather! There were definitely some decades between us!
Ha! I find the older I get I try to matchmake younger people all the time. I’ll take note of this post. :) Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the post Julie!
Matchmaking is so much fun lol
Ellie, That sounds like your story went in the opposite direction, age wise, to mine!
Lindi,
I think it is all in presentation. I was surrounded by very passionate grandparent figures who were certain their son/grandson/Salvation Army bus driver was for me. :)
Natalya,
Thank you! I haven’t tried it yet, but I sometimes watch people interact and think they would make a good couple. So far, I’ve not done anything about it. :)
My mom’s claim to fame is that she successfully set up my sister and her husband. His family was from the community, and his sister actually played softball with my sister. My mom worked through the mom network to get his contact info when my sister was in college. My sister emailed him, they went out and now they have been married 12.5 years!
My mom also correctly predicted the city where my husband would be from. He lived 45 minutes away, we met on eHarmony.
I think sometimes God puts things on our hearts or inklings in our mind.
Go, Mom! This also would make such a fun story to read. Thank you for sharing, Mandy! I agree with you!