Happy Valentine's Day...

As a romance writer, I have many characters in my head all waiting their turn on paper. Each comes as a couple - usually one shows up, followed shortly by the potential mate and my job is to tell their story. I thought it would be interesting to introduce you to some of those heroes and heroines who reside in my brain.

Lady Willamena de Graham and Hugh de Graham - some of you may recognize Mena and Hugh from The Seduction of Lady Bells, my medieval romance looking for a publisher. As newlyweds, these two have had to rewrite Hugh's history, and through the truth they discover their love. Hugh's greatest gift to Mena was the keys to the stores - a tangible sign to Mena that he trusted her in the running of the keep.

Gillian McInnis and MacKenzie Griffin - my heroine and hero from my East Coast Drug Smuggling Story tentatively called The Art of Betrayal. Gillian is a painter and through her love of the arts slowly teaches Mac that there's more to life than just work and bad guys. During his time as a boarder in her home, recovering from a case where he was betrayed by a fellow agent and shot in the stomach, he learns to carve wood. Towards the end of the story, when Mac is leaving to return home, back to his job, he leaves Gillian the incredible slab of wood he has planed, sanded, and stained. Each had promised a temporary romance, neither able to give more of themselves, Gillian takes the wood and creates a head board to keep Mac with her forever.

Jane Greene and Ryan Bartowski - Confessions of a Carbohydrate Slut. Ryan, the personal trainer who only wants to help Jane reach her goal, gives her the gift of self-confidence. As she struggles to be something she is not, Ryan's friendship, patience, and philosophy of "Love Yourself" opens her eyes to the possibility of being the best Jane Greene she can be.

Grayce and Droyn - from my medieval romance about a troubadoor kidnapped by a man who will do anything to protect his adopted family. Droyn gives Grayce the one thing she has always wanted - family. And in return, she shows him that family can be more than just blood ties.

I always think the best gifts are those that last forever - and have a deeper meaning beyond flowers, cards or candy. Most romantic people sigh at the sight of men (and women) standing in the card shop the day before Valentine's picking out the perfect poem for their loved one. Or the person walking down the street with a bouquet of flowers destined for a lover, wife, girlfriend (or male counterpart - no bias here). But the gifts my husband has given me over the years that have meant the most, and have created the best memories, are the ones that are unique and come with a story.

Like gravel! Yes, for our 3rd anniversary I received gravel. We were trying to decide what to do with the endless garden space (read mud and plants I had no idea about - no green thumb here) and I suggested we gravel the whole thing and then use planters for contained, easy to manage color and interest. Gravel (crushed rock) is expensive - but I got all I needed that year on my anniversary - and the garden looked great after we were done (clean and simple). Not to mention the wonderful time spent working alongside one another that day.

Or the plastic cap off the shampoo bottle when he proposed spontaneously and had nothing to offer as a ring (we lived in the Arctic and couldn't just zip out to a jewelry store). I still have that cap!

The used motorhome (camper trailer) for our honeymoon. I planned the wedding, he was in charge of the honeymoon. I had thought we were going somewhere warm - tropical - for a two week vacation. He bought a used motorhome so we could go camping. At first I was not impressed - but we camped alongside my mom and dad, younger brother and his wife and, then, two young kids. We had a blast - and the memories from that trip still make me laugh. And the gift kept on giving. Many a camping trip with friends, family, or even on our own bring me great joy when I look back at the pictures. The two week honeymoon at a resort would have been lovely, but instead I received years of memories and enjoyment.

Ooh, got all sappy there for a moment thinking back on all the unusual and wonderful gifts my husband has given me. He's my hero.

Have a wonderful day, everyone. And share with us, if you want, a gift that meant something special to you (whether you received it on Valentine's or not).

*This is a reprised post from Feb. 2010 - my head was not in the Valentine's Game today...until I re-read this. *sigh*