Family fun is one of the themes recognized during the month of August. I like to add a touch of it to all of the stories I write.
There's an undeniable connection between the joy of family fun and the spark of romance. The way we interact with our loved ones can often foreshadow the dynamics of our romantic relationships.In the realm of sweet romance, the characters who effortlessly navigate the playful chaos of family life often bring that same lighthearted energy to their love stories.
The first thing my grandson does when I walk through the door is suggest a board game. He knows all of our attention will be on our conversations, and grandma will soften the competitive edge with treats, affirmations, and stories of game times in the past.
(I'd also like to include a sweet brag: He taught me how to throw and catch a football without flinching.)
In my novels, family fun nights are more than just a pastime. They're a glimpse into the hearts of my characters. Whether it's the competitive spirit ignited by a cooking showdown, the collaborative fun of a trivia challenge, or the laughter-filled chaos of Mario Kart and Cribbage. These shared experiences reveal the enduring family bonds and often hint at the potential for romantic connection.
In my upcoming release, Cottage Cove New Beginnings, Jess invites Ivan to join the fun when she and her kids have a smoothie competition.
Here’s a little snippet:
Mason and Andie held up their bright yellow, recyclable grocery bag the Community Center had distributed as door prizes. Jess held hers in the air. “We didn’t know if you had a smoothie maker, so we brought ours.”
Ivan led them into his kitchen, where they quickly set up the food station. The fruits and the cutting boards were to the right of his sink, and the smoothie maker was on the other side. Andi dragged Ivan’s trash bin over and set it in front of the sink to discard the peels and whatnot.
“This is how it works,” Jess explained. “We will prepare our fruit at the counter. One by one, we’ll show the ingredients we used and make it in the smoothie machine.”
She showed a stack of clear plastic cups, each with a holding capacity of roughly eight ounces of fluid. “You’ll be able to comment on the color and consistency of your sample.” She pulled out six large plastic containers with lids. “This is what we use to store the rest of the smoothie. At the end, we’ll decide which one is best.”
Ivan held up a bag of popcorn that they had brought along. “What’s this for?”
“You have to have something crunchy to go with your sweet,” Andy said, as if having popcorn with a smoothie was a common food pairing. Jess nodded. Mason shrugged as if to say, “Girls, I don’t get them, but I live with them.”
Ivan sat at the table with Jess, and they watched Mason and Andy prep their ingredients. She whispered over to him, “Thank you for this. It was the kids' idea to have you be the judge.”
Ivan glanced at them. “I’m glad they thought to include me.”
“I am, too,” Jess said.
One of the kids turned on the blender, filling the room with loud buzzing broken up by the clatter of fruit chunks with the blade. A sweet aroma filled the room. Ivan’s stomach grumbled, reminding him he’d forgotten to eat lunch. Andi laughed at something Mason said. For a moment, Ivan was outside himself, looking in.
With all the activity, warm conversations, and small messes, Ivan’s kitchen resembled his parents' house. When the Stansfield kids gathered in the kitchen, everyone worked together, fitting themselves in the small space.
It was kind of like that. There was a process. People moved instinctively. When they bumped into each other, “excuse me” was delivered with a gentle touch to affirm the other person’s presence. It was natural. There was a flow to it.
Ivan gazed at the entryway to the basement, seeing his project with a new purpose. It’d be nice to have a family. His house started with smoothies and popcorn. They’d add hanging out in his basement for movie nights and game nights, and it would be the perfect place for sleepovers.
Smoothies and popcorn were moved to the top of Ivan’s favorite food list.
This is where the snippet ends, and our chat resumes.
As I mentioned earlier, family fun invites everyone to let down their guard and appreciate each other. So, the next time we gather our loved ones for some family fun, let's remember that we're not just creating memories. We might also be laying the groundwork for a beautiful love story.
What's your favorite family activity? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
psst. If you're looking for the link to preorder Cottage Cove New Beginnings,
it's here -----> Get Cottage Cove New Beginnings <------
Sisters with a Side of Greens by Michelle Stimpson
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