Hurray, we’re home from another marvelous visit to Lancaster County, PA! Not until I began writing about the Amish did my husband and I celebrate our autumn anniversary in glorious Lancaster County. Can you think of a better place for me to do research on the Amish and the location? My husband enjoys chauffeuring me at a leisurely pace—even when I yell “Stop!” so I can take a photo. Over the years, we’ve grown close to many folks in Lancaster County, both Amish and English, not to mention relatives we’ve come to know better.
With views like this Amish farm, is it any wonder I make my husband stop so I can take a photo?
In the past, my husband and I have each forgotten our anniversary. When I overlooked the auspicious date, my spouse thought I was joking. I mean, how many wives forget their anniversary? However, the very next year my husband—a man with a remarkable memory who can be quite annoying when playing Trivial Pursuit —forgot our anniversary. Of course, I let him. We’re even, thus no hard feelings.
No forgetting now that we travel across country to Pennsylvania! We even decided not to exchange cards or gifts. One less must-do, but he occasionally randomly brings me flowers.
Always work to be done on an Amish farm!
Recently, an English friend told me a fun and true story about herself. She and her high school sweetie got married, but soon divorced. Both remarried, but their next spouses died. Years later, the lonely man told his children the only woman he’d want to date was his first wife, my friend. They encouraged him to locate her through instabang.org. Fast forward: the two love-birds retied the knot last year and are ecstatic. How cool is that? I should ask her which anniversary they celebrate.
Can you think of anniversaries that have nothing to do with marriage?
Do you celebrate a unique or quirky accomplishment? For an author, it might be the first day his or her article or book was published, or was a top-10 finalist, or won an award. One year ago, my husband self-published his first book. Happy anniversary, to him!
How about the day you or a friend were pronounced cancer free? The day you or he/she gained sobriety? The day you opened a business or graduated from a class? I remember the morning a woman I’d known most of my life, called me, her voice ringing with jubilation, to tell me the last of her three children was officially in school. Although, I suppose this could make some mothers sad. How about you? What gives you cause to celebrate?
Win this charming Amish-made doll couple, plus a copy of one of my books.
Leave a comment on my blog to enter to win this charming Amish-made couple, Rebecca and David, plus a signed copy of A Letter from Lancaster County, or one signed book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy—either CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, its sequel CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish.
Winner has 3 days to respond. USA and Canada entries only. Winner will be chosen at random and announced in one week.
Happy Anniversary! We just recently celebrated our 28th. Funny that the dolls names are the same as my cousin and her hubby. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
We forget our anniversary all the time so I know exactly what you mean. I think he’s one up on me. Thanks for the chance to win and Happy Anniversary!!!
Thanks for letting me know we’re not alone, Fay. I think you’re the first person who has ever told me admitted they’d forgotten their anniversary. Wishing you best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Thanks, Perrianne! We’re beating the odds. I’d be lying if I said marriage was a piece of cake, but we’re committed. Please send my best regards to your Rebecca and David. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love your books. They take me away to the story. I fill like I’m watching a movie.
I’m delighted to hear you enjoy my books, Melissa. Thanks for letting me know. Wishing you best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
We celebrate the weeks or months my daughter goes seizure free. And her milestones reached having multiple disabilities!!
First, I must tell you how sorry I am to hear your daughter has seizures and disabilities, Marcy. Wow, that makes all of my problems seem small. May you have much to celebrate in the future. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Loved the story of your friend. What a sweet story! The main anniversary other then marriage is when I accepted Christ as my saviour. That was in July 1978. Best anniversary ever. My wedding anniversary is February 1978 soon to be 40 years with the love of my life! Thanks for a chance to win <3
Two loves of your life in one year, Diana! Sounds as if you and I have much in common as I did not have any concept of God, nor inclination to find out, until my early 30s. Hard to believe I lived such a shallow life for so long. My husband and I also married that same year. Thanks for writing and sharing your life-changing story. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I missed my kids when they went to school. But got so much pleasure helping at school and going on field trips. Watching them graduate. Now I am getting to do the same things with my grands. Love watching them all grow.
I was also a volunteer in our sons’ classes, and went on many field trips. What fun that you are able to do the same with your grands. I’m sure you’re a fabulous grandma. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 😀
Thanks, Sabrina!
Kate
Happy Anniversary !!! Thanks for a chance to win awesome gifts. Love your books. !!!!
Thanks for cruising by my blog to enter the giveaway, Regina. And thanks for the lovely compliment. Good luck!
Kate
Happy anniversary! It sounds like you had s great trip. We will celebrate our 45th anniversary December 9. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you, Carol, we did have a splendid trip. Congratulations and happy anniversary to you … a little early. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Most of the anniversaries I remember are not celebrations. Loss of beloved family members, the loss of our home, these anniversaries are the ones I remember. As for happy occasions mostly birthdays of my kiddos come to mind.
I’m glad you have happy celebrations too, Tracie. Life is such a mystery, isn’t it? Threads of sadness and happiness intermingled. Only our heavenly Father knows how to weave the tapestry into something beautiful and good. Hang in there. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My husband and I have been married 10 years, but we still like to celebrate the day we met and the day we got engaged. It’s so fun to think back on happy memories.
You have a lot to celebrate about, Gina. Many happy memories you share in common. Thanks for leaving your uplifting comment and for entering the giveaway.
Kate
Every day I get to spend with my grandchildren is a day to celebrate. Also reading an Amish book is also reason to celebrate.
How delightful that you get to spend time with your grandchildren and celebrate your love for them, Barbara. Glad to hear you also enjoy reading Amish books. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy anniversary to your husband , for the first book published!
I cannot enter to the giveaway because I live in Europe, but I would love to say you ciao! and thank you for the blog and your books.
martaA
Ciao, Marta. I’ll send your good wishes along to my husband too. Thanking me for my blog and books is a great encouragement. Grazie!
Kate
Happy Anniversary! Love Amish country and Amish fiction
I appreciate your good wishes, Angea. Thanks for stopping by to enter the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Thank you for this fun giveaway! I love your books, and would love to have David and Rebecca dolls!
Little things cause me celebrate, especially after being diagnosed with anorexia which has progressively gotten worse. I celebrate the day-to-day being alive still and the sound of my little brother playing.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Becky. I pray you will be victorious over anorexia. Just yesterday, a woman told me she wished people would call her skinny, a label I abhor. I pray for victory in your life-threatening battle and good luck in this giveaway!
Kate
I have read many of your books and loved all of them.
Cant wait to read many more of them. Would love to win. Thanks for being one of my favorite authors.
Thanks for your lovely compliments, Gloria. Just what I needed to hear. If you haven’t written a 2 to 3 sentence review on Amazon, it would be most appreciated. Wishing you the best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love all books that have to do with the Amish. I would dearly Love to have the dolls.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Rebecca. I’m sure the dolls would find a happy home with you. Good luck!
Kate
Happy Anniversary Kate, what wonderful memories and what a special way to celebrate than going to a place where life is so very special and just as God intended us to live, to see the country and all Gods wonder at its best! This is where I too find my happy place.
The Amish dolls are beautiful. Good Luck all
Thank you, Cherese! I can’t think of a better place to celebrate. I’m glad you find your happy place here too. Wishing you best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary !!! Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading your books
Thank you, Emma. I’m delighted to hear you enjoy reading my books. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
Love your books and I look up to the Amish
Thanks so much for your kind words about my books, Karen. The Amish have much we could emulate, for sure. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary,
My husband and I have gotten married to each other twice without ever getting divorced! I make sure he notices both anniversaries!
Thanks for sharing your intriguing story, Cheryl, that will no doubt have me thinking all day. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary!
Family and friends make me happy. Being divorced/single with no children, anytime that I can spend time with family and/or friends can really be a great day for me!
I was very honored to have the chance to meet and spend an afternoon with you, and a few of my precious friends, in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, 2 weeks ago. What a wonderful afternoon!!
Thank you!
Thanks, Elaine! Spending the time with you and your friends was delightful. Since it sounds like you’ve endured a crummy marriage, you know being married is not a remedy to loneliness. In fact, a person can be very lonely and married at the same time. Same goes for children. But life can be splendid with like-minded friends and family. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
In February, my hubby and I will celebrate 30 years of marriage. Happy anniversary to you! Our son was married in September and our daughter was engaged in October! It has been a fantastic year for us.
Wonderful that you’ve enjoyed a fantastic year, Karen. I hope it continues to get even better. Thanks for sharing your good news and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary! Ours is Saturday, but hubby will be working. Thank you for the chance. Blessings
Working on your anniversary beats working on your birthday or Christmas, Lucy. Plus, a good job is cause for celebration even with our low unemployment. Thanks so much for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
This is a good and hard question for me.While thinking about this question I could only think about sad times, like the day my brother died, the day that my sister devastated my life,the day my husband tried to end his life and etc.So with all this said I can say I celebrate God being with me and bringing me through all these things.I celebrate life and all the things that come with it,because I know God will be with me.
God’s love for you is indeed cause for celebration, Jackie. He is the only One who will not let you down. Praise Him that your husband was unsuccessful. Many people who attempt suicide go on to live happy lives. Thanks for writing your comment in entering the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary!!
Thanks, Kailey!
Kate
Life is a celebration. Everyday I have something to be thankful for and something to celebrate. I, too love spending time in Lancaster introducing my grown daughters and my young grandchildren to appreciate the simpler things in life. When I am not in Lancaster, I travel there in your books
What a delightful attitude, Christine. I also try to recall the many things I have to be thankful for rather than dwell on the disappointments, which we all have. Lucky daughters and granddaughters to have you take them to Lancaster! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love your books and always look forward to the most recent!
Thanks so much, Linda. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary!!! Thanx for the giveaway! Appreciate you sharing about your trip.
Thank you, Jennifer. I appreciate your entering the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary .My hubby and I celebrated our 27th in June.They day my granddaughter was born was the biggest celebration of my life.Nothing more special then becoming a grandma.Also everyday that we wake up and are given another day with our loved ones and to enjoy the gift of life is something to celebrate .Thanks for the chance to win and good luck everyone.
I love your positive attitude, Sharon. No matter the circumstances, each day is to be celebrated. Especially when you’re first grand child is born! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary <3 This is a amazing give away! Thanks for sharing and for a chance to win.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Kristina. Wishing you the best of luck!
Kate
Dennis and I celebrate the anniversary of our first date. I like that date the best. We don’t do anything very different than any other day – as everyday that we have been together has a special meaning all of its own. I love the story about the reunited couple!! Thank you for sharing and Happy Anniversary.
You must share your secret someday, Connie. I don’t recall the actual date of our first date, but will never forget it. And the truth is, we both chuckle. Long story. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
What a great prize!!!!
I’m glad you like it, Jennifer. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Love your books.
Thanks, Paula. Music to any author’s ears. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary! Winning those two little dolls would give me reason to celebrate! 🙂
I’d love to see you celebrate, Theresa. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
We celebrate two events – when my husband retired and when we moved into our dream home – only annually and one every day.
My husband’s retirement was both happy and sad. He well deserved to retire since he had been working and paying taxes at the unbelievable age of 9. He retired a few months early to help me take care of Mom who had had cancer and Alzheimer when the physical exertion just became too much for me by myself. However, to this day he still celebrates when he retired saying it was the best thing he could have done because of the special months he had to have special time with Mom before her passing to her heavenly home. I join him wholeheartedly in this celebration!
After Mom’s passing, it was like now or never if we were going to move to our dream destination – the Ozark Mountains. After not having moved in over 25 years, it was both exciting and terrifying. We were fortunate enough to find a parcel of land that had the two old 1853 large stone fireplaces from the original home. There’s even the existing civil war rock walls on the property. We designed and built our home incorporating those fireplaces into the home – one in the living room and one in our bedroom. We found rock at a quarry 6 miles from the house to put on the outside of the home to match the existing fireplaces. This is our dream home and it’s everything we dreamed it would be. I can sit on the front porch the goes along the whole front of the home and see the mountains off in the distance. It’s a place I love to sit, read and admire the view. Although this is a new event since we only moved in this year after completion, we celebrate every morning when we get up and realize this dream is our real life.
We, too, don’t exchange gifts on our anniversary. Instead we choose to be thoughtful and giving to each other all year long. It may be something small as bringing them a cold drink on a hot day or making that batch of surprise peanut brittle just because you know they like it so well. Love and marriage is for all time – every day and not just once a year.
I think it’s good to celebrate the little things in life as well as the big ones that stand out. After all, it’s the little things that compose the big things isn’t it? We should be thankful for all we are blessed in and acknowledge our maker for his grace.
Thank you for the chance to win this awesome giveaway. Love everything in it! The dolls are adorable and would be much loved. Any book by you and especially a signed one would be treasured, read and loaned out for others to read.
I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your comment, Kay. Hurray, for your husband’s retirement and your move (including the fireplaces) to your dream house. Thanks for sharing your uplifting story. Wish I could see the view! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary! We are coming up on 41 yrs in December. I don’t think I have ever forgot but we do not get each other a gift for Anniversary every year. Occasionally we do.
Thanks for this super giveaway.
Thanks, Brenda. Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary. 41 years is a substantial achievement in this world where commitments are taken lightly. I do not plan on forgetting again. What was I thinking? Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary!We just had our 48th anniversary(10-11-2017)we always go out to dinner and he give me a card and sometime he give me flowers.Love to win the dolls and all them books,thank for letting me enter your contest.
It sounds as if you married a sweetie, Ruth. Congratulations on your 48th anniversary. Such a lovely tradition you have; going out to dinner and a card. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary!!!! Such a great way to celebrate. We celebrated our 14 anniversary in August. We usually do a day drive and just spend time on us. We, too visit Amish country here in Maine. We usually go to Smyrna and continue up to the community in Easton and Fairfield. It’s a beautiful ride, time well spent and we visit the Amish stores. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate our lives together.
Happy anniversary to you, Lisa! I’ve only seen Maine in photographs and movies. A beautiful and unique area. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Please enter me in your giveaway. Would love to win that very nice gift package. I would celebrate winning by taking a trip to either Lancaster, PA or Holmes County, Ohio. Love to visit both places. Glad you had a wonderful time on your trip.
You have two marvelous locations for a getaway, Kathy. I wish I had that lovely choice without taking an aircraft across country. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I have celebrated being cancer free in the past. I called it my cancerversary. Now I just had more surgery after 8 years so I will have a new date starting over again now.
Happy soon-to-come second anniversary, Maryann. I pray that you will remain cancer free from now on. Also that your treatment will go well and at the end you will feel 100%. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary! How luck are you to be able to visit Amish country. My husband just celebrated our 30th in Lincoln City, Oregon looking for glass floats. Something that I had been wanting to do for years. Thank you for the opportunity to win this incredible prize. Would love to have a book of yours and these dolls.
Blessings,
Robin
Thanks so much for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway. I am at a loss because I do not know what a glass float is, unless you me the old-fashioned ones used in days long ago. Do they still wash ashore? Oh, I just googled: http://www.oregoncoast.org/glass-floats/. What fun. I would love to have you read one of my books. Wishing you the best of luck!
Kate
This year was the anniversary of one year of being cancer free. I continue to celebrate everyday I am alive. Thank you for writing great books and for this contest . God Bless
Hurray! Another day to celebrate. I pray that you remain cancer free. Thanks for entering the giveaway and wishing you the best in every area of your life. God bless you.
Kate
Happy Anniversary! What I celebrate is each time my daughter graduates from school and my friend’s cancer free report (currently 8 years)
Wonderful anniversaries to celebrate, Sheila. Congratulations to your daughter and three cheers for your friends cancer free-report after eight years. Thanks for passing along the good news and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I lost my husband six weeks before our 58th wedding anniversary this year, which would have been Valentines Day. I am so grateful for my children and grandchildren, who take such good care of me and who take me places, since I am in an assisted living home. I have not read any of your books but sure would love to. Thanks for the chance to win this contest.
I’m so sorry you lost your husband, Marilyn. I bet you were a beautiful Valentine’s Day bride. I’m glad to hear you have children and grandchildren who take good care of you. More precious than gold. I’d love you to get a chance to read one of my books. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Happy Anniversary! An anniversary we celebrate is the day we brought our children home from the NICU!
Bringing children home from NICU would certainly be cause for celebration. I can’t help but wonder how old that child (or children?) Is now. In any case, a day never to be forgotten. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Love really any kind of celebration! Love celebrating LIFE! Love celebrating a new Amish book to read! ❤️
You sound like a fun and enthusiastic person to be around, who uplifts others, Debbie. Thanks for writing and leaving your fun comment. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My husband remembers all the important dates in our family. I usually have to consult the calendar. 🙂 One date we always remember, though, is August 12th. That is the day we had our first “official” date. Thanks for the opportunity to enter for such great prizes. God bless and Happy Anniversary!
How wonderful that your husband remembers your first official date, Pat. You got me curious so I asked my husband … we both recall the date we met, but not the date of our first official date. BTW: I often consult my calendar too. God bless you and thanks for visiting my blog to enter the giveaway!
Kate
Happy anniversary I have reason to celebrate as my granddaughter who is 15 is going thru the teen curse horribly and I hadn’t talked to her in a while she lives in ca i in ia. I am severely disabled and never know day to day if i am going to be around well the other night she called me for her brothers address as she hasn’t talked to him for 9 years since he was 1.She lives with her dad and my grandson is being raised by my daughters friend all in ca so i am overjoyed that she is going to connct with her brother and that I got to talk to her! He needs her and she needs him since he is only 10 !
Peggy, I can imagine you are thrilled. You got a chance to speak to her, and she might be reunited with her brother after nine years. Oh, my, what a story must have proceeded this situation. I’m praying for healing in all ways: your health and your family’s reconciliation. Thanks for writing and good luck in the giveaway.
Kate
Happy Anniversary. Love your books. Thank you for this opportunity.
Thanks for your lovely compliment, Christine. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Thanks for the opportunity to win; exciting
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog, Carolyn. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate