Contemporary and paranormal romance author Larissa Ione shares with the Valenduckie what it’s like to be married to a bunch of hard bodies. Larissa is half of the writing team that is Sydney Croft (Stephanie Tyler is the other half) and has Book 2 of the ACRO series, Unleashing the Storm, coming out at the end of this month from Bantam Dell.
Married to the Military
I didn’t know much when I was a kid, but from the time I was very small, there were three things about which I was very sure:
1. I would write – whether or not I would get published was the question.
2. I would always think my brother was an idiot.
3. I would marry a military man.
Well, I’m a writer, I still think my brother is an idiot, and I married not one, but TWO military men (not at the same time.)
My first marriage was a disaster, ending after a year. But my second marriage…well, we’ll celebrate our thirteenth anniversary this year. And being the deeply romantic couple we are, we got married on a holiday. A very, very romantic holiday.
Wanna guess which one?
Yes, that’s right. Halloween.
But that doesn’t mean that my husband, Mr. Military-I’m-A-Crack-Shot-Wanna-See-My-Pistol-Baby, isn’t romantic and doesn’t know how to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple especially sticks out in my mind, because in all honesty, Bryan is much more romantic than I am. Yes, the big, tough, alpha military guy is more romantic than the romance author. Go figure.
Bryan knows how much my animals mean to me, so on Valentine’s Day, he came home from work with a dozen roses, plus two single long-stemmed roses. First thing he said? “Roses for all my girls.”
“All my girls,” were me, my cat, Geordie, and my dog, Sela. Yes, Bryan is a total dork. A sweet, lovable dork. He gave me the dozen roses, and then gave Geordie and Sela each a rose. They, of course, ate them. Geordie has always enjoyed eating flowers, and Sela just liked to tear them apart.
So the pets got to spend time destroying their Valentine’s presents, and I got a dozen gorgeous roses that I had to put on top of the fridge to keep the 
cat from getting them later. But the real gift I got that day was the knowledge that my husband loved me — and my pets — enough to think about them, too. Because for me, not liking animals is a deal-breaker in a mate. So for all his faults, his biggest plus is that he not only loves animals (especially cats,) but he respects my love for them too.
So there it is, my best Valentine’s Day ever. Technically, it was just roses and dinner, but I got so much more.
What about you? Is there a Valentine’s Day in your past that sticks out in your mind? Is there a favorite gift in your past? Is there anything you prefer to give or receive on Valentine’s Day – chocolate, flowers, jewelry, gift certificates?
Comment, and you could win a copy of Snowbound, a book I dedicated to my husband for a very special reason…
Larissa Ione
I enjoyed your comments. When I was little I learned that brothers really are scum and not to trust anything they say. Not until I was older did I learn to respect my older brother for the good decisions he made in his life and how he lived it.
When I was little I read and read of wonderful places and things. I traveled alot in my youth and would have made a very informed writer but I married and the career went on hold. Now I am satisified to read other’s stories. And I have put your name on my TBR list.
Hi Larissa,
I used to feel the same way about my bro. Even though we’re adults, we still squabble like children. I’m still waiting for my military man. Something from Tiffany’s will make a great Valentine’s Day gift.
The first Valentine after P and I met (online) he sent me a Borders gift card–we hadn’t been taking that long at the time; he didn’t even know my first NAME yet, or address, or phone number or anything. He only had my email address. But he knew ME. He knew I love books, and he knew I live on a limited budget so books are an indulgence. More than that, he knew I wasn’t expecting anything. I still get all misty over it. *sniff*
My husband always goes all out for Valentine’s day. The best gifts he has given have been diamond earrings and a heart shaped peridot ring.
Oh, thank you, Joye! 🙂
Jane, I hope you get your military man! *g*
Azteclady, that is SO sweet!!! What a wonderful guy!
Crystal, that’s so cool! I’d LOVE the ring!!! (My birthstone–is it yours?)
Hi Larissa,
My favorite gift isn’t anything very unique, but one Valentine’s day I got roses. What’s special about them, is the weather was horrible – we were under a level 2 (?) winter weather advisory… so it was just that much more special to have gotten something.
Hi Larissa, thank you for sharing your lovely story! I am lucky in that my guy is very artsy/craftsy (is that a word?) and gives me handmade personalized cards/little gifts on different occasions. I am the opposite (not-so-craftsy) and feel very proud of myself when I can manage something similar for him.
JSL, that’s so neat! It’s things like that that really make you remember!
Allison…how cool! And I’m not craftsy at all. Scarily untalented! *g*
Larissa, good writing is a major talent! Far from comparable, but I enjoy making up lyrics/little poems on the spot, and I edit my guy’s correspondance (he asks me to)!
Larissa, I love that Bryan gave the animals a rose! My dachshunds gave me a birthday card one year…. 😛
The Valentines Day that meant the most to me was the one where the DH proposed to me.
It was a total surprise since we had been living together for 5 years!
Mr Romance wanted a June wedding, so I guess you could say we got married on a holiday…even if it is Flag Day and his mom’s birthday! I still say he picked that day so he would not forget either occasion. I know the workings of the male mind….. LOL!
love getting lflowes and candy from friends.
Hi Larissa!
My husband proposed to me on Valentine’s Day fifteen years ago. I don’t think anything could ever top that! 😉
I have to hide flowers from our cats, too. I love getting tulips. They are so beautiful and their one of the only flowers the cats leave alone!
My best Valentine story was before our boys were born. My hubby drove me to work the day before Valentine’s Day, saying he wanted to work on my car, okay no biggie. When I leave work that night, there is a stretch limo waiting in front of the office, back door opened with my dh sitting there with a bouquet of yellow roses and a bottle of champagne and the biggest grin on his face. I got in with no clue yet, as to where we were headed, but enjoyed lots of great snuggle time while we polished off that champagne. When the limo finally stopped, we were at a magnificent inn in the Napa Valley. A gorgeous room with a feather bed, fireplace, decadent bathroom and an outdoor hot tub, along with a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries and another bouquet of roses.
And tears, lots of tears, because the planning that went into this was so far outside his comfort zone. I mean he even called my boss to get me the next two days off work! We had room service and didn’t even leave the room that first 24 hours. Then the rest of his surprise was a hot air balloon ride over the valley and a picnic lunch afterwards. It was the most romantic getaway we ever took, with the added present of us getting pregnant over that weekend, with twins!!!!
Well darn, Cathy M. I just said I didn’t think anything could top getting engaged, and there you go and do it with the very next comment!!! LOL 🙂 That’s a truly beautiful story. Truly.
Hi Larissa,
in my opinion it doesn’t matter what the gift is, because it’s just important that it comes from his heart.
I got a gift certificate and I love it since I can then buy what I want.
I just like to spend some alone time with my man (if I have one) on V-Day. I have alwasy wanted to sit in front of the fire cuddling w wine . . . hmmm, ideas for next year haha.
xoxo
Hi Larissa,
I met my military man in Fort Gordon GA. We were both stationed there his barracks were behind mine. We knew each other for 2 months and he proposed. Our commanders and 1st Sergeants had a pool on how long they thought we would stay together. I wish I knew where they were now, we’d collect some big money!
Seventeen years and still going strong. Our first V-Day he gave me a broom, a box of chocolates and a candle. I know I thought it was weird too. Then he tells me, the broom was to signify when he first saw me how I swept him off his feet. The chocolate, because there was no one sweeter he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and the candle because I would forever bring light to his darkest day.
I will always remember that day. Who says military men can’t be romantic?
I would have to say that any gift is fine as long as it comes from the heart. I also think that doing things together or just spending time with each other from time to time.
Gotta’ love those military men. Last year for Valentines mine brought the kids and me to Kuwait. May sound odd to most people but I’ve always wanted to travel. While we were in the military all of his overseas tours were “hardship” unaccompanied ones. I got to sit in Louisiana the entire time. Now he’s out and working contract on post (better for family life and can still feel like he’s serving) and so he gave me the world.
Btw, Arabic is so much harder to learn than Spanish or German!
To be honest, I never experienced a truly memorable Valentine’s Day, but I had a number of other lovely and very dear to me romantic moments. As to favorite gifts … the most beautiful one happened a number of years ago in 2001 when my friend was during 9/11 in New York on a tournee and I didn’t hear anything from him until two days later.
What a lovely story. Who says military guys can’t be romantic. My hubby is former Navy and is very romantic. The first Valentine’s Day we spent as a couple is my favorite. It wasn’t even because he showered me with presents because he is always generous. It was how loved he made me feel. No man before had ever made me feel that special. Hubby gives me a variety of things each year. Last year it was roses and earrings. This year it was a jewelry box, a dozen roses and a small heart shaped box of chocolates. I love all the gifts he gives because they are picked with love.
Oh, what great stories, everyone! Thank you SOOOO much for sharing. Y’all are awesome!
Please don’t enter me into the contest since I own a copy of Snowbound. Loved the plot.
Larissa, your post is so neat and your hubby sounds wonderful.
Oh, thank you, LLL! And I’m so happy that you enjoyed Snowbound! 🙂