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Thursday, February 14, 2008

Valentine's Day Contest: Tell Us Your Love Story

February 14, 2008






OK, so Valentine's Day has never been a huge thing in SmallWorld; in fact, we would likely forget all about it if it weren't for the kids (and the aisles of red and pink in every store). But this year, this year, it's going to be different. This year I am going to be richly inspired to delve into the spirit of the season. Valentine's Day is, after all, about sharing love, right?

And so, here's the contest. I want to hear your love stories. How many times are you actually asked to share your story? I want to hear how you met, why you broke up, why you got back together, why you broke up again, why you got back together again, why... (what? not everyone did that over and over?).... This is an opportunity for you to write your love story on your blog (or in the comments).

But there's more: since these may tend toward sappiness, I insist on a further step: you must include the goofiest wedding picture you have. I don't mean a picture where you look adorable as you goof around; I mean those wedding photographers' specials: the picture where the flowers surround your head like a wreath, or the one where all the groomsmen are kneeling in front of the bride in a strange, beseeching sort of way. Or a picture when you look miserable. If the best that you can do is show that your wedding dress was truly goofy, that'll be OK. Just post a ridiculous wedding picture.

And so to participate in SmallWorld's First Ever "Tell Us Your Love Story" Contest:
1. Write a post that tells the story of how you and your spouse got together. You know you love to tell it, but how often to you get to tell an extended version? You absolutely MUST give details. You will be disqualified for a post that merely states, "We met in college and I knew he was the one for me and then we got married." That is boo-hiss. I want drama and details. An interesting anecdote or two. Remember, the purpose of this contest is to inspire us all to truly appreciate a holiday totally devoted to L-o-v-e.
2. Post your story on your blog and then put the link in the comments here at SmallWorld. If you don't have a blog, you can post your story in the comments.
3. Include your absolute worst wedding picture. If--and only if-- all of your wedding pictures were absolutely perfect, you can instead include the most hideous photo of the two of you together. Anyone posting adorable pictures will be eliminated, unless there is a big cheesy factor in the adorableness. If you don't have a blog, you can email a photo to me and I will post it on my blog for you.
4. Tell your friends! The more the merrier!

I will be magically, randomly, with a team of experts, be choosing the winner on February 13th. Cupid will deliver a $15 Amazon.com gift certificate to the lucky winner.

Stay tuned. I'll post my own entry tomorrow, although of course I won't win anything (unless I am magically, randomly chosen by a team of experts.)

So, get started! Get remembering! And get writing! And I've changed to closing time/date of the contest. I realized that I won't be around at all on Valentine's Day to tally up the entries and randomly pick the winner, so the contest is open until midnight on Valentine's Day!

***********************
Contest Entries as of Feb. 13:
**NEW**Angel
**NEW**Carole
**NEW**Debra
**NEW**Sarah T.
Kathi
Kysha
Kristina and Neal
Joy
Cam
Heidi
Melissa
Heather
Ann
Karen
Kim
Leah
Lindsay
Barb
This is mine and in the comments, you can read Blogless Lauren's! (I may have to go find some wedding pictures for her so she can have her own post!)

Tell us your story! There's still time to play!

Post A Comment!.....


Comments

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - Up for the challenge

Posted by Lindsay (24.216.187.89)

I'll have to think about this for a few days. To be honest, I don't know where any of our wedding photo's are since we moved or for that matter, any of our photo's are since we moved. I'll peruse my online photo's since that may be the best I can do. It may be spring in Tennessee but it's winter in the midwest and my garage isn't heated. Therefore - I will not delve into boxes in search of pictures until Spring

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Wednesday, February 6, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee@afamiliarpath.blogspot.com (69.128.130.235)

i'll be back to participate! sounds like fun.

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Thursday, February 7, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous (216.249.75.230)

Great idea!! :) You're so fun.
Cindy

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Thursday, February 7, 2008 - Hi !

Posted by Anonymous (69.137.79.222)

Alright, since you seem just as nutty as I am. I entered it. LOL! Here I am
http://humblemama.blogspot.com

Kysha

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Friday, February 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous (71.223.141.74)

All of my pictures are in storage....to bad...'cause they're doozies...

Emily
thelearningneverstops.blogspot.com

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Friday, February 8, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by skdenfeld (66.220.116.110)

Count me in, Missy. It should be up sometime tonight.

Up and running: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/cutterbug

Edited by skdenfeld on Friday, February 8, 2008 at 10:01 PM

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Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Good idea!!

Posted by HomeForHim (74.130.206.113)

Okay, I'm in....my only challenge will be having to go through the old picture album and get them put on cd so I can get them on my computer. But, I have a little time. I'll be sure to advertise this too.

Thanks!!
Deb

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Saturday, February 9, 2008 - I did it

Posted by onfire (206.132.56.141)

I posted my love saga. thanks for the fun.

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/onfire/477534/

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Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by anotherblogonthefire (206.132.56.141)

Are boys allowed?

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Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by cammiemelisabray (72.14.120.95)

OK....I am game....although, I must warn you...I have a strange story.

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Saturday, February 9, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by anotherblogonthefire (206.132.56.141)

My story is up now...
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/anotherblogonthefire/477578/

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by joyunspeakable (24.141.198.172)

I love telling my love story. Not enough people ask. Every so often I systematically go through every last detail in my mind just so I don't forget anything. :)

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 - Great idea!

Posted by Jennifer in OR (69.88.229.219)

If I can pull it off in time, and locate pictures and scan them, I'll do this! If I don't get to it, I'll still be around to read all the great stories - I love the stories!

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by skdenfeld (66.220.116.110)

You guys okay out there? It is mighty quiet on your blog.

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous (71.215.191.3)

I finally got my story posted on my blog. I'm sure I will be disqualified for the decent photos, but it was either that or nothing. :)

http://mthopeacademy.blogspot.com/2008/02/hope-to-bliss.html

It was fun to think through our story after all these years! Thanks for the prompt.

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Sunday, February 10, 2008 - Hey!

Posted by Anonymous (69.137.79.222)

Hey, that's not fair. You hadn't posted your pic and story yet. LOL Hmmmmm.waiting.

Kysha
http://humblemama.blogspot.com

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by chickadee@afamiliarpath.blogspot.com (69.128.130.235)

Here it is!

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - Our love story

Posted by Heather (68.115.188.186)

I saw your contest and had to do it! Come check it out! http://redmay323.blogspot.com/

~Heather

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous (198.146.153.206)

OK....I wrote....here's the scoop!
http://mamachef99.blogspot.com/

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - Sorry!!!

Posted by Anonymous (198.146.153.206)

I probably COULD have explained who I was when I commented earlier! I'm a dork! haha!!!

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - Sorry!!!

Posted by MamaChef-Ann Tolbert (198.146.153.206)

And that's me with the anonymous comment above...again...dork painted on my head! :D

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by 3rsandahug (72.19.177.137)

This is a fun contest. I posted mine at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/3rsandahug/478801/

Hope the wedding picture meets your criteria!
Karen

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Monday, February 11, 2008 - My True Love

Posted by momunscripted (24.216.180.167)

http://momunscripted.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/my-true-love/

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - Our story

Posted by Lindsay (24.216.187.89)

You've heard the expression "You can take the girl outof New York, but you can't take New York out of the girl?" That explains me. I, too, went to Milligan College (I'm pretty sure there's extra voting points awarded to Milligan students - because we excel!) I lived in the same dorm as Sarah and Lauren. I know the window Sarah refers to when she says she watched Randy with other said girl. It's fun to see our stories intertwine.

I was a freshman, non atheletic, picked last for every team in gym every time, kinda girl. I was also from New York and that was my point of reference for many things in my life,

Scott was a senior, captain of the tennis team, from the midwest, and quiet until you got to know him. He also was divorced and had a son. I never thought I'd ever meet his son, let alone marry Scott!!

My friends from New York and Scott's friends from the midwest were all friends, most of them dating. Scott and I ended getting to know each other by default. I had a boyfriend back home (didn't we all?) But I wasn't coming to Milligan to get my "MRS" degree. I wasn't one of those girls. Nope, I was going to graduate, get a job, live in New York in an apartment, as a young single person. And just where was the midwest anyway? Tennessee was enough culture shock for me.

One night a group of us had gone dancing at the Seahorse (GASP - Milligan students weren't supposed to dance). Scott had had a few beers (Double GASP-Milligan students were most definitely not supposed to drink) and came up to me and announced that "my three year old can ride a two wheeler without training wheels." (who'd have known how important cycling would become to Scott who would return 20+ years later to ride the mountains of Tennessee to train for competitive cycling.)

Scott finally asked me on a date. He picked me up in his Chevy Caprice. It was the biggest car I had EVER seen, but it was immaculate and had a cool stereo. We went to a local hangout - Poor Richards. I have a diet coke and Scott orders a huge sandwich, chips and sweet iced tea. I'm thinking "What's with the iced tea thing? Why does everyone in the south drink iced tea?" In NY, we drank the instant kind from a jar.

I remember going to the Valentine's Banquet with Scott and Lauren and Joel. As we stood in line to get our food, there was another couple standing a little to the side of us. I happen to look over just as Scott slips his hand into the girl's hand next to him, thinking he's holding my hand. They must have held hands a good 10 seconds or more before they realized it. I think it was when I walked ahead of Scott to get in line that he realized mine was not the hand he was holding. This is one of my favorite memories because we laughed 'til we hurt!

Spring Break. All the cool kids were going to Florida. I was so cool, I got to take my first trip to the midwest. Yes indeed, my first visit to the midwest was quite memorable. We drove to Edwardsville in the big Chevy Caprice. When we were almost to Edwardsville, we came to a train track with the arms going down. Scott stops the car, puts it in park, and turns the car OFF. OFF! The following conversation ensued:
L: What are you doing?
S: It's a train.
L: I know that, what are you doing?
S: It's a train.(with a slight "duh" tone in his voice)
L: I understand it's a train. What are you doing? (with hint of irritation in her voice).

Keep in mind that in NY, trains are for people and take about 20 seconds to pass. Twenty mintues later I understood what Scott had done.

The other part of that trip that is forever ingrained into my memory is sitting in church, with Mrs. Shaw (who turned out to be the very best mother-in-law EVER. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE her!), Josh -the 4 year old son, and Scott. During communion, when it was VERY quiet in the sanctuary, Josh turns to me and says for all to hear "Are you going to marry my Daddy?" You could have wiped me up with a sponge I melted into my seat, all the while I'm thinking "Ummm, no."

Fast forward a few years. Scott graduates from Milligan and gets a job in Tennessee. I'm pretty sure he stayed for me ;) and I was pretty sure this was the guy for me. I continue to try and finish school. I remember one night going to Denny's with Sarah and Randy and a group of people to study. They all got A's, I barely made a C. School has never been my thing.

Scott and I went to the movies one night. We knew by this point that we were going to get married, we just didn't know when. While the previews are rolling, Scott is deep in thought. He finally turns to me and says "You know, if we got married, my car insurance would be a lot cheaper."

Scott and I were married March 25, 1989 at 10:30am in my home church in Hicksville, NY. Funny how the city girl never knew what the word "hick" meant until she went to the midwest.

Our friends Randy and Sarah were married on March 25, 1989 in Tennessee later that day.

This was a problem for our good friends Lauren and Joel , who were an old married couple by now, who wanted to be at both weddings. Location being a deciding factor, they stayed in Tennessee for the Small's wedding and then promised to move to the midwest to live happily ever after near the Shaw's

I love the memories this has brought back but I can honestly say, right now, this very point in our lives, is the best time of my life. As I look back to the young couple that we were, not knowing what life would hold for us, the joys and sorrows we shared, I can't imagine walking through this life with anyone other than Scott. My best moments are spent in his company.


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Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SmallWorld (24.151.178.103)

Oh my goodness, Lindsay, I am totally teary-eyed with that last paragraph. And I did NOT remember that we got married the same day! How weird is that? Before you posted I was trying to remember how you and Scott got together, and I could not remember. It was as if you were always together. And then I remembered that girl who used to hide food, including cottage cheese, under her mattress!! What in the world? And do you remember watching the Challenger disaster on your little TV?

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - I hope it's not too late...

Posted by lcourtneymom (208.104.142.116)

I found my wedding pictures and posted an entry! Enjoy!

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lcourtneymom/

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - My Romance

Posted by Barb (70.105.66.93)

I don't have any wedding pictures to post - not that techno-savvy. But I did post how my husband and I got together - the bumps and bruises and highs and lows. Thanks for opening an avenue during this Valentine's season, to share our romances.
celticpole.blogspot.com

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Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by skdenfeld (66.220.116.110)

Hey, I entered too!

Kathi

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sadie423 (69.247.28.184)

I finally came over to visit your blog...and thought I'd play along since I had time tonight....I posted my story:
www.homeschoolblogger.com/sadie423

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by pwdebra (205.188.117.19)

I posted our love story on my blog. Not quite sure how to post a link here though! My blog title is Peculiar People.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - The Story of Us!

Posted by Anonymous (74.37.176.233)

Here's the link.
Enjoy!
-Carole

http://thoughts-of-home.blogspot.com/2008/02/story-of-us.html

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by EEEEMommy (74.132.33.166)

I haven't stopped by in a long while, but when I saw StillHisGirl's entry, I thought this was a great contest. So I just posted my entry.
Thanks for the great contest. I enjoyed reliving our romance through the computer keyboard! :)
Here's the link: http://thesakeofthecall.blogspot.com/2008/02/our-love-story.html
Grace and Peace,
Angel

Edited by EEEEMommy on Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 9:33 PM

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Thursday, February 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Lizzie (72.1.5.61)

I found your contest on Angel's blog.

I thought I'd enter even though I can't post a photo--I am rather anonymous;) So hopefully you'll forgive me. If not that's ok:)
You can read my story anyway.

Lizzie
http://adustyframe.com/2008/02/04/marriage-mondaymy-most-memorable-valentines-ever/

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Thursday, February 14, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by debbiecorley (76.114.75.180)

Hi Sarah,
As *usual* I have no pics, and I'm a day late, but since it's Valentine's Day I was inspired to write out our love story anyway. Thanks for hosting this contest. It has been a hoot reading all these stories!

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