A Year to Rememberby Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger 03 Sep 2008 08:06 AM I don't know where it went, but this month I'm celebrating my year anniversary being a Marriage Blogger. Confessions Last year, then managing editor, Heather Long, sent out a notice asking us bloggers if we'd be interested in either changing categories or adding on to any existing ones. I saw Marriage was one she was looking to staff. I'd guest blogged there a couple of times. I was interested in challenging myself. I asked if in addition to Pets I could also be assigned to Marriage. I alternated between jubilation and panic when her answer was, "Yes." Okay, my wish was granted. I'd get to challenge myself. But would I have something to say? Something readers could relate to, use, or learn from? Would being a traditional, yet unconventional, wife help me or hurt me? Also, as I admitted in "How I Ended Up a Stay-at-Home Wife", I was aware I'm a bit of a silly heart. How would readers respond to that? Would they, too, see me as nothing more than a silly heart? Worse, would they dismiss me because of it? I feared I'd never write anything that would provoke discussion comments. Or, if I did, I feared it'd be "Why are you writing this kind of light fluff? Give us something more substantial." Welcomed Warmly Being what Families.com is, I've never seen the masses chase any blogger away. I needn't have worried. The worst that might have happened would be that people would not read my blogs. But not only did they, they left comments. And not the kind I feared. Although, several months after I wrote "The Widows of 9/11: Already Remarrying?", I did receive one email from a very irate reader about it. That was my (to date) sole brush with an unhappy reader. (Who provoked an apology blog titled "The Widow's Email.") Pleasant Surprises I've had many more happy experiences as a Marriage blogger than negative ones. (Actually, I haven't had any negative ones. The widow's email came the closest, but it was more uncomfortable than bad.) But two experiences in particular stand out. FRIENDSHIPS Even before my mom passed, but especially afterwards, I realized how many friends I've made during this last year. Jade Walker, that muse o'mine, springs first and foremost to mind. If I had not started blogging in Marriage would I have come to know this kindred spirit? On top of sending me article ideas, she showed her support time and again during the hardships I endured with my mom. So did my fellow bloggers who I now consider friends: Dale Harcombe, Lyn Newton, Aimee Amodio, Beth McHugh, Tristi Pinkston, Valorie Delp, Michele Cheplic...I'm certain I'm forgetting someone. (If I did, I am so sorry.) These were just the ones that flew instantly to mind, because they have been so kind and dear. TRADING PLACES When a rep from Zondervan contacted me about participating in a book blog tour to promote Les and Leslie Parrotts' Trading Places: The Best Move You'll Ever Make in Your Marriage, I was stoked! (Well, flabbergasted first, then stoked.) I enjoyed reading the book and asking the Parrotts my question. I got a huge kick out of getting the chance to participate in their book blog tour. And it sparked not only my Q&A blog, but a couple of others. (See My True Feelings About Trading Places and Devotion Levels: Benchmarks.) My Favorite Blogs from the Past Year In closing, I'd like to share a few of my favorite blogs from the past year. If any were memorable to you and they're not on this list, I'd love to hear about it. Thanks again for making my year a wonderfully remarkable one! Today's Dating Emasculates Men How a Positive Attitude Affects Your Marriage Marriage Shocker: The Day Wayne's Illegitimate Daughter Called Who's That? - An Admission About My Roving Eye What Makes My Spouse Act That Way? Cupid Used a Winchester: The Fabulous Toepperweins The Notebook: The Epitome of Devotion Do You Share a Psychic Connection with Your Spouse? Funeral Arrangements: Loyalty to Dead Wife or New Wife? When Was the Last Time You Enjoyed a Shower Together? Remembering Titanic: What Would You Have Done? Learn more about Courtney Mroch  Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k. Relevantmarriage tags User Comments  Jade Walker (964) 04 Sep 2008 07:43 AMMy favorite aspect of this blog is that it sparked our friendship. I'm constantly learning new things from you. Keep up the great work!  Courtney Mroch (9169) 04 Sep 2008 07:53 AMAw shucks. You know how to make a girl giddy, Jade! Thanks. Courtney Mroch (9169) 04 Sep 2008 07:54 AMOh, I forgot to add that I don't know who's learning more new things from who. You've pointed me in some very interesting directions. That you've learned anything from me is AWESOME!!!  Michele Cheplic |
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