letter from the editor
in every issue
love & marriage
FEBRUARY 2016
MELIA FLOWERS
founder / editor / publisher
In the summer of 1981, the “wedding of the century” took place when
ever, though a former love cynic, I once again believe in forever love.
disrespect one another. And – I also know this for certain – he will
Lady Diana Spenser married Prince Charles on July 29. I remember
Though, the first thirteen years that I published this Love & Marriage
not have done whatever it is that he might do intentionally. I know
lying in my bed, holding my pillow tightly, watching the whole thing
Issue, I dreaded writing my editor’s letter. Having gone through a
that because of something he told me when we first met, “I cannot
unfold on my little ten-inch black-and-white television that Santa
most unhappy marriage and divorce, I chose to yield to the very wise
promise you that I will never do anything to hurt you. However, I can
brought me in the fifth grade. Hanging on every comment and every
advice, “If you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all.” So, I said
promise you that it will never be intentional.” He has never broken
image that flashed on the screen, I remember thinking that I was
nothing about my own life in those issues. Then (as you well know if
that promise and he never will. I promise him the same.
watching a real-life fairytal
you’ve been a regular reader of my letter) in 2013, love – in the form
The issue of Love & Marriage is not one to try to simplify. However,
I was reminded of that when interviewing Bo and Annelle Osborne,
of a delightfully handsome, wise, wonderful, artistic, funny (are you
I am also reminded of a quote by Dr. Laura Schlessinger that says,
who are one of the couples featured in this Annual Love & Marriage
starting to get a cavity yet?), godly man – stole my heart, against my
“Choose wisely and treat kindly.” Surely, that is advice that will cer-
Issue. Annelle shared that she, too, was one of the countless young
will.
tainly cover a lot of territory in the pursuit of happily-ever-after. I can
girls hopelessly caught up in the fairytale that was unfolding right
Dan and I have been dating for almost three years now, and I can-
think of quiet a few of couples who live out that concept. My own
before our eyes. Annelle shared that Princess Diana’s wedding influ-
not imagine there being two people more suitably matched in all the
mother and daddy were so very kind to each other, for one. I never
enced her own wedding two years later, which goes to show the how
world. Still, as unbelievable as it sounds, we have yet to have an ar-
once heard them raise their voices in conversation or in disagree-
the allure of that very magical time in history lingered.
gument. The amazing thing and that which makes our relationship so
ment. When you think about it, that concept will work in all relation-
On my drive home after my time with the Osbornes, I couldn’t stop
incredible, however, is not that we haven’t argued. Truth is, if we had
ships. Yet, when you are considering the person that you promise
thinking about the irony of the royal wedding that we sadly would
cause to argue, we would. Dan is no push over. He is a strong, self-
before God to love and honor, can anything else be acceptable? That
come to learn was anything but storybook. The whole incident got
made, self-sufficient, resourceful, “the original-survivor-man” man.
we would be anything less than kind to anyone, especially those we
me to thinking about what I have learned about love in the years
I, while easy-going, can certainly take up for myself if need be. So,
love, doesn’t even make