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Life has definitely been life-ing lately, and I\u2019ve been away from the blog for a bit. But I can\u2019t think of a better way to return than with this conversation. Recently, I was asked to read a book\u2014and possibly interview the author.<\/p>\n
Truthfully, from the very first pages, I was hooked. Author Laurie Collister<\/span><\/span> has written what I\u2019d call a unique coming-of-age story for women who have lived a little, loved a lot, and discovered that life rarely unfolds according to plan. Her book, A Different Kind of Vow<\/span><\/span><\/em>, takes readers on a deeply personal journey in search of her \u2014 and maybe all of our \u2014 versions of happily ever after.<\/p>\n During our conversation, we laughed about the \u201cchecklists\u201d so many women of a certain age grew up with when it came to marriage, family, and building the perfect life. We were raised on television shows where nearly every woman seemed happily married, vacuuming in pearls, cooking dinner, and living a picture-perfect existence \u2014 with maybe only Mary Tyler Moore<\/span><\/span> offering a different path.<\/p>\n I remember reading that former First Lady Laura Bush<\/span><\/span> was considered an \u201cold maid\u201d because she was still single and working when she met the future president, while he was viewed as an eligible bachelor \u2014 even though they were the exact same age. That double standard says so much about the expectations women carried for generations.<\/p>\n Laurie takes readers on a journey filled with memorable characters and moments that may leave you smiling \u2014 and occasionally thanking God someone didn\u2019t become your forever person. Her story is one of self-discovery, career changes, dating disasters, spiritual awakening, personal growth, and learning that reinvention is possible at any stage of life.<\/p>\n As I read, I found myself laughing out loud and, more than once, wanting to tell Laurie exactly what she should do next. You have to remember, this was long before dating apps and curated online profiles. Back then, there were bulletin boards, chat rooms, blind dates, unfiltered photos, actual conversations, and no texting. In other words, dating required a little more courage \u2014 and a lot more imagination.<\/p>\n Our conversation reminded me that sometimes happily ever after looks nothing like we imagined it would when we were younger. And maybe that\u2019s okay. Maybe happiness doesn\u2019t come from checking every box on the list we created at twenty. Maybe it comes from finally becoming comfortable in our own skin and embracing the life we\u2019ve built along the way.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s our conversation with Laurie Collister. You can purchase A Different Kind of Vow\u2013Rewriting My Happily Ever After <\/em>on Amazon and follow Laurie on her social media pages<\/a>. And while reading the book, you just may find yourself realizing that, despite all the twists and turns, you did okay after all.<\/p>\n Because remember \u2014 \u201cthisisyourbestyear\u201d<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n