Thursday, April 3, 2014

True Heroes A to Z: C is Hard

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

For me, "C" is hard. Having a "C" name, I'm extra sensitive to C people, so the ones I was choosing from were C.S. Lewis (love this guy!), Christopher Columbus (but I wrote about an explorer/expansionist yesterday) and Clara Barton (Founder of the American Red Cross). They were all epic choices, but I wanted to share someone a little closer to home today.

ollier, Matt: My adorable other half.

I met this guy when I was sixteen. He was twenty. At first, I didn't think much except that he was older and funny, but his brother was funnier. And younger. Matt won out because he was chivalrous.

It was that same aspect that impressed me on our second date. He treated all women with incredible respect. He held the door for me. He dished up my ice cream--when we were in my house, with my utensils. He spoke of his mother and sisters with reverence and respect. He wouldn't let me pay for any part of a date. EVER.

He was smart--as in become-a-doctor, rocket-scientist, anything-you-want kind of smart, but never placed too much emphasis on money. His focus was on the people around him--serving others, making sure they were happy, and concerned for their well being. The thing that stood out above all else, was his devotion to God.

We had and continue to have our own fairy-tale romance, and here's the secret: His greatest goal in life was to be married and make his wife the happiest woman in the world. Some days I wonder how I got so lucky. I have some rather far-out dreams, but he keeps them alive and encourages me on every front. He pushes me out the door and believes in me so hard, I have to believe in myself. He's been the love of my life for 16 years, and by my side for 14 of them.

He's my best friend.


A quick heads up, for the month of April ONLY, MOONLESS is $1.99! Get your copy HERE.

Do you have a best friend? Someone who encourages and keeps you going? Any heroes that start with C? (Besides me. LOL.) 

98 comments:

  1. Awww, how sweet! I have to say, after reading three depressing A to Z blogs in a row, this was a nice ray of sunshine!

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  2. Such a sweet and wonderful post! My husband was, and still is, chivalrous. One of my favorite things is how he always opens the car door for me. :)

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  3. Aw, what a sweet post! Your husband sounds like a wonderful man. You've got one of the good ones. :)

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  4. Aww, what a wonderful post. Love the photo collage.

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  5. Aww... That's really sweet, Crystal. You're lucky and he is, too, for having you.

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  6. Aww, love this post Crystal! Your husband sounds amazing (almost as awesome as mine). :) Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself with us. I loved your pictures--you have a beautiful family!

    Also, you might want to check out my post at some point today, I think you'll like it. :)

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    1. Thanks. I like them pretty well--and thank you for the shout. You are wonderful!

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  7. This is a lovely post, I'm actually tearing up right now. Your husband sounds amazing :)

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  8. That is so sweet! I got lucky with mine too. My mother once told me to watch how he treats his mother, and she was right.

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    1. It's so true! And sisters, don't forget the sisters.

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  9. Absolutely no better hero than the one you have by your side!

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  10. Wow! What an awesome hubby you have!

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  11. Among the C heroes you mention? Matt wins hands down. Congratulations.

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  12. Aw! Seriously, I can't say anything but "aw!" because that is so sweet. :)

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  13. What a sweet post to a great guy!

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  14. You can't have a better C post than this one!

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  15. YAY!!!! I LOVE the husband-love post. So cool you chose your man for this day's hero. :D

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  16. I think this is the sweetest post for C! Love it! :D

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  17. Very sweet! I'm glad you shared and love the pictures.

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  18. That's wonderful you chose your husband! He'll appreciate that. Paying for everything, getting doors - that's what a real man is supposed to do.

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  19. Excellent choice for letter C. He sounds like a real catch. You two make a wonderful couple. I love the pictures. My letter C would've been the same type of correlation, C for Christopherus Townsend, my husband/hero. :)

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    1. Awesome! I love that. How many people can say that of their spouse?

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  20. My hubby is the same, and I firmly believe this is what should be expected of a real man. How wonderful for Matt that you've featured him today so we can all think he's as great as you think he is!

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    1. =) He tells me every day about fifteen ways how great I am. If that alone doesn't make him great, I don't know what does.

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  21. A sweet tribute! Hope your hubs gets to see this. Making each other happy is something all couples should do.

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  22. That is awesome. Me and my wife have been together for 14 years. Time sure flies. Really great post.

    Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

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  23. Stopping by on the A to Z -- this was lovely. (Also: in your author profile, you got me with "and cheese." Love it.) And I learned a few things by looking over your Brigham Young post from yesterday -- I'd heard of him but didn't know much about him. Nice. -- Victoria

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    1. Yay! All cheese lovers are welcome here. So glad you could stop by!

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  24. Blow me down, I think you just got yourself the perfect man! That's an excellent choice for C, and this is such a lovely post I'm in tears :'") chivalrous huh! no wonder you write historical. Sometimes I just wish I could get back in time only to get me a well-mannered gentleman who respects women, now you proved to me such men do exist in our time so thank you very much.

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    1. LOL. He's not perfect, but he is wonderful and I choose to focus on the good.

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  25. Awww you two are too stinkin' sweet! Love that you chose your other half as your C ;)

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  26. What a lovely tribute to your husband.

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  27. Speechless. I love you sweetheart!

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  28. I hope Matt isnt too embarrassed by this :) I'm just jealous of you!

    But I am going to the cheese shop tomorrow, so can I get you some nice regional British cheese? Redesdale, perhaps?

    Jemima
    #TeamDamyanti
    Blogging from Alpha to Zulu

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    1. LOl. He's a hopeless romantic. He doesn't get embarrassed, only proud.

      Yes please, pick me up something delectable. I'll love you forever! =)

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  29. This is a great post dedicated to your husband. I'm sure Matt's thrilled to have you. Any guy who treats women with respect is quite wonderful in these times.
    May you have many, many blessed years together.

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  30. Wonderful way to appreciate your partner for life! My own partner/best friend/accomplice in all things is a C as well, and very heroic indeed when it comes to dealing with my lunacy. :)

    The Immarcescible Word

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    1. Yes! Lunacy, I love it. I usually call myself crazy, insane, geeky, nerdy, or psychotic, but lunatic would work too.

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  31. What a lovely, sweet post! Your husband is lucky to have you, too - you're both blessed!

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  32. That's so amazing that you met your husband when you were sixteen. He definitely sounds like a keeper, and y'all are too adorable!

    Hope you’re having fun with the A to Z challenge,
    Jocelyn

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    1. *blushes* I think it's pretty cool we met so young too. That, or it was fate. ;)

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  33. Hi human, Crystal,

    Oh no, not you also! This ridiculous challenge has meant I've been pawing away for over ten hours. Rather ironic considering how much I detest the darned thing! :)

    Such a magical love story. I thought C was for Cheese :)

    Penny, the pawsitive host of the Alphabark Challenge, 2014!

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    1. =) You know you love it. You get your little paws all over the interwebs.

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  34. He sounds like a gem and a keeper. ♥

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  35. What a lovely post! Congrats on finding a good one. Hope the rest of your lives are as good as what's already come.

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    1. We're not talking lifetimes here, we're talking eternity. ;)

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  36. For a hard letter, you have some amazing choices. You did very nice for the letter C.

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  37. I'm with the others - you did a great job with a hard letter. You sure are blessed! :)

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  38. Sounds like a great guy. Does he want to teach others, pass on that awesomeness? (Mine is good though. He has his moments where I shake my head, but for the most part, he's pretty darn good. LOL)

    ~Patricia Lynne~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, YA Author

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    1. He does the best he can to educate those around him on a regular basis, believe me. ;)

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  39. Sweetest post EVER. Perfect choice for "C"

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  40. So sweet. I love how you two came together and great pics.

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  41. Naaawwwwwwww! Dishing icecream is definitely a make or break point ;)

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    1. So true. It was the first thing that totally grabbed my attention.

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  42. I can see why you snagged him up. Sounds like a real CATCH. See what I did there?

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  43. Aww, this is so sweet! Glad you found someone so supportive and all-around great! :)

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  44. That's beautiful. What a Prince Charming :)

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  45. I'm so glad you are married to your best friend and he sounds absolutely lovely. I wish continuing health and happiness.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings

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    1. Thank you! It's definitely the best way to be--married to your best friend.

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  46. I love this! My husband is my high school sweetheart as well. I would say he is also my hero, but he isn't a "C" he is an "A", but we do have a cat, and that is a "C" although his name starts with a "B" so we have the first part of the alphabet! I am enjoying all of your posts A to Z posts!

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    1. We'll take it. The whole alphabet of family heroes!

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Hit me with your cheese!