Love Gone Wrong
Congratulation to Beth Wilkes of Alabama & Dorcie Tracy of Oregon. They are the winners of Leigh Anne’s book. Thanks to all who entered.
The wedding was perfect in every way. Lovely flowers. Lovely dress. Lovely bride.
Their church family was there. The cousins came, too. It was a big-to-do. This wedding. This love of theirs. Jennifer’s mama and daddy couldn’t have been more proud, more happy. It is the dream of parents who have had good marriages and even those who have had not so good marriages. That their children will grow up and find lasting love, a companion, somebody to share in the joys and the trials.
You know how it goes. Love will double your joys and halve your sorrows. We might be liberated and all that, but still, we cling to the notion of lasting love. And it does happen. It happens all the time. People fall in love. They marry. They have babies. They love each other through the late night feedings, the early morning risings, the overdue bills, the Little League games, the tooth-fairy visits, the Honey-Do lists, and Baby-Don’t admonishments. Somewhere in-between the planting of tulip bulbs and leaf-blowing chores, between tearful deployments and joyous homecomings, they create a love that transcends heartache and headache, a love that glows not just in memory but in the very present moment.
I’ve known such love. Perhaps you have, too. If you are very, very lucky and work hard enough, and pray even harder, perhaps you, too, will be the partner in such a story.That was certainly Jennifer’s intention when she stood before that preacher man, in front of God and her entire circle of loved ones, and promised to love, honor and cherish the man who stood before her.
What his intentions were is anybody’s guess.
It’s hard to imagine that even as he was promising to love, honor and cherish his wife, he could have been drafting that speech he would deliver to her hours later, the one in which he told her he didn’t want to be married to her after all.
He wanted an annulment.
Sometimes love isn’t enough. Sometimes it doesn’t last. Sometimes all of our dreams turn out to be our worst nightmares. Jennifer’s mama, the lovely Leigh Anne Hoover of Kingsport, Tennessee has penned an account of her daughter’s story. I have to tell you, when I first heard it, I kept thinking how lucky Jennifer was to be alive. Must be the crime reporter in me. Still, what newlywed expects to hear the words: I want an annulment?
I have a couple of copies of Leigh Anne’s book to give away. Leave your name below and I’ll draw for them next week.
Karen Spears Zacharias is author of Mother of Rain (Mercer Univ. Press).
27 Comments
Tim Thurman
about 9 years agoYikes. I cannot imagine...
ReplyChuck Roberts
about 9 years agoSounds like an incredible story. As a marriage counselor, I'm intrigued.
ReplyConnie Lou Mitchell
about 9 years agoI would love to receive a copy of this book!
ReplyRene
about 9 years agoSounds intriguing! ~ René
ReplyCela Wood
about 9 years agoHi Karen. Hope all is well. This sounds like cruelty in its most sterile form. How very sad.... Hope Jennifer finds the courage to trust again and that her heart will be open to love someday.... Cela
ReplyEllen
about 9 years agoCan't wait to see what happens next...Yes, I want a copy!
ReplyPatty Lee
about 9 years agoMiss you.
ReplyBeth Wilkes
about 9 years agocome see us !
ReplyLindsay
about 9 years agoI would love to read this book!
ReplyDorcie
about 9 years agoWould love to read it.
ReplyMary Cooke
about 9 years agoEnter me. Sounds good.
ReplyRobbin Coleman
about 9 years agoO my stars..... I would love this.
ReplyDottie Sheffield
about 9 years agoI would love to read this book.
ReplyDiane Olson
about 9 years agoThst woukd be awesome!
ReplyGloria
about 9 years agoWOW! I too would be interested in reading this book.
ReplyJody Hughes
about 9 years agoentering to win...
ReplyCathy Price Bastoky-Abell
about 9 years agoWould love to hear the rest of the story!!!
ReplyMelissa Allen
about 9 years agoThis family is incredibly strong in both their faith and devotion to family. Wishing Jennifer only the best of what God has ahead for her.
ReplyJenny Deese
about 9 years agoSuch a beautiful family! While I have never met Jennifer's mama, it is obvious that Jennifer comes by her inspirational spirit and gorgeous heart quite honestly. What an honor to know the courageous, resilient woman who inspired the telling of this story - may others be encouraged and find love and strength in Leigh Anne's words. While I had no idea that she had written about this event, I have no doubts that it is prayerfully, lovingly written in a way that honors her precious daughter and gives all the glory to God.
ReplyLeslie Pace
about 9 years agoHi Karen! I just found your friend request this morning! Found your website too. I didn't realize you had written so many books. Congratulations to you!! Can't wait to read them. This book sounds like a good one, also. Would love to read it. Take good care.
ReplyRebekah Magaña
about 9 years agoWould like to win a copy.
ReplyLeigh Ann Rybak
about 9 years agoWould love to read this!
ReplyEddie Dease
about 9 years agoWe lost a good friends daughter, 30 years old to cancer after a 5 year hard battle. The things that worry us most is where is she now. She was not a church goer. I have no idea if she was a Christian or not........that's the part that we have prayed about for a long time. Her mother says she was an angle that God sent to us for a short time here on earth. Very sweet, kind woman; wouldn't hurt an ant. Beautiful voice, gifted artist. The trouble is that none of that will get you to heaven. Her mother says how could God allow such a person to go to hell. Bottom line is know body but she and God knows her heart and if she had ever accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior.
ReplyDebra Boyer
about 9 years agoHi Karen, Yes, would love to read this book, thanks for the drawing. I found you today when I came across your essay on the movie American Sniper. Thank you for sharing your family's story, heart-wrenching, for all of you, including that doc that tried to save your dad. And for your friend who lost his jaw/teeth...the agony of living...so sorry. Appreciate you revealing the other side of this glorification of war...you're such a good writer, so honest, you write with such heart.... I'm going to follow you now & look forward to reading about whatever comes up, as you are my kind of writer. P.S. Your dad would be SO proud of you. Peace- Debra
ReplyTheo G. Smith
about 9 years agoWhat a book! I am glad )somebody can use this.
ReplyCarla Smalley
about 9 years agoWow! How frightening! Glad I am not out in this crowd today dying to find love! I worry desperately for my children and the horrors they will face so they are still young. I would love a copy free or not! This needs to go viral! Can I share???
ReplyKaren Spears Zacharias
about 9 years agoI am sorry Carla but the winners have already been selected. Thank you for wanting to share it, though. Of course I'd be delighted for you to share and check out Leigh Anne Hoover's Facebook page for how to get your own copy.
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