I’m not a huge romance novel fan – WAIT! DON’T GO YET! My saving grace is that I have recently read all of Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series. ALL. OF. THEM. The reason why is because I don’t like feeling left out. I wanted in on the hype. I wanted to be part of the club. It’s a fun club! I’ve come across some seriously funny reels and I thoroughly enjoy Googling “ACOTAR dream cast” to see who would play what (Henry Cavill should play everyone).

While reading this series I was quickly introduced to the literary LEADING MAN, the ROMANTIC HERO, and now I understand. Boy do I understand why the romance genre is so popular. These men are written as being big, strong, giving, sensitive, loving, passionate, possessive, protective, and did I mention BIG and STRONG?

Now, I fully and humbly admit that I hit the partner-for-life jackpot and my husband has all of these main character traits and then some. Today is our 21st wedding anniversary! To profess my undying love to him, I wrote a poem about how he is MY leading man. I hope you enjoy!

This is us just a couple of weeks into our relationship. He likes to joke that I cast a spell on him. I will not confirm or deny that.

I Am Married to a Romance Novel Leading Man

I know what it's like,

to hear a pebble hit my second floor
bedroom window in the early morning.
To find him looking up at me,
holding a bouquet of flowers.

I know what it's like,

to have him construct a hope chest for me
lined with fragrant cedar, etched with sweet words.
To have him secretly ask my father for 
my hand in marriage.

I know what it's like,

to be scooped up into strong arms and carried to safety
after breaking my ankle on his front porch steps.
To be carried across the threshold of our
tiny apartment by the beach.

I know what it's like,

to witness him crumble into helplessness,
his oversized hand tenderly gripping mine,
as I scream out in pain for hours 
and hours in labor.

I know what it's like,

to watch him try to help 
my Grandma in the kitchen,
when she doesn't know English and
he doesn't know Spanish.

I know what it's like,

to be told I am beautiful.
To be dragged across a bed.
To have him want me, and only me.
To fit in the nook of his arm and chest.
To rest my head on his broad shoulder.
To watch him fall asleep snuggled next to me.

I know what it's like to have the happily ever after.

Sincerely Yours,
Jen