Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul: Stories of Love, Laughter and Commitment to Last a Lifetime

435 Pages·2004·2.19 MB·English

by  Jack Canfield

What People Are Saying About
Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul . . .
“This thoughtful and deeply moving selection of stories reminds us that love
is the cornerstone of marriage, family and life itself. I smiled, laughed and cried
my way through the book.”
Rosanna McCollough
editor in chief, www.WeddingChannel.com
“After a hectic day of wedding planning, reading Chicken Soup for the Bride’s
Soul is the perfect way to unwind and be inspired by incredibly emotional stories
of love’s triumph before, during and after the wedding ceremony. These
wonderful stories should not be missed by any one who has any part of the
wedding planning process, including Mom, Dad, attendants, and especially the
bride-and groom-to-be.”
Debbie Hansen
director, Bridal Show Producers International
www.bspishows.com
“Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul grounds us. It is a moving and gratifying
book, full of real-life stories that give us a kind and warm reminder of what love
and marriage are all about. This is a perfect book to be shared with anyone
involved in a wedding—its message will also touch those with relationships that
need reconnecting.”
Sherra Meyers
editor, Southern Bride Magazine
“Being huge fans of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, we were genuinely
excited to hear about Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul. To have a loving and
fulfilling marriage takes much more than just planning a wedding. This resource
of heartwarming and inspirational stories will definitely help couples in the first
stages of a long and happy life together!”
Erik and Beth Kent
copublishers, NJWedding.com
“Of all the things brides need—a little laughter and encouragement are what
they truly cannot do without. This wonderful book will take you there with
stories that will have you holding your sides and wiping away a few stray tears.
Let Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul help you make this the start of a lifetime
together. . . .”
Paula Rinehart
author, Strong Women, Soft Hearts and
Sex and the Soul of a Woman
“Well-written and moving, the stories in Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul
will help readers reflect on what’s really important in their lives—light-hearted
attitudes and a lifetime of loving commitment.”
William S. Doddridge
CEO, The Jewelry Exchange
www.jewelryexchange.com
“After reading Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul, the first thought that came
to my mind was: Thanks for the memories. This book is a warm reminder of how
precious life and the relationships we have are, and how they never should be
taken for granted. Get together with someone special, light some candles, read
Bride’s Soul to each other and just enjoy each other’s company.”
Steve Dines, “BridalMan”
www.bridalman.com
“What an ideal gift for a future bride to turn to while planning her big day!
Chicken Soup for the Bride’s Soul is the perfect remedy for a chaotic time in a
woman’s life. These true tales will inspire an emotional bride, remind her to
enjoy time with loved ones and cherish her day with the love of her life.”
Matteo Bossio
vice president of planning, iweddings.com
“The Chicken Soup series has done it again—this time for all things wedding!
From the proposal to the honeymoon, these heartwarming, funny and
enlightening stories will inspire and entertain all readers involved in virtually
any aspect of a wedding. You’ll get a kick out of these fantastic stories.”
Cynthia C. Muchnick
author, The Ultimate Wedding Idea Book and
The Frugal Bride
CHICKEN SOUP
FOR THE
BRIDE’S SOUL
Stories of Love, Laughter and
Commitment to Last a Lifetime
Jack Canfield
Mark Victor Hansen
Maria Nickless
Gina Romanello
Health Communications, Inc.
Deerfield Beach, Florida
www.hcibooks.com
www.chickensoup.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Cataloging-in-Publication data is on file with the Library of Congress.
© 2004 John T. Canfield and Hansen and Hansen LLC
eISBN-13: 978-0-7573-9976-3
eISBN-10: 0-7573-9976-2
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
HCI, its logos and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.
Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442–8190
R-12-06
Cover design by Larissa Hise Henoch
Inside formatting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

T
his book is dedicated to brides of the world!
May your wedding day lay a foundation of
lifelong commitment, love and happiness.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Foreword Beverly Clark
Introduction
Share with Us
1. THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Twenty-Six Years—An Unfolding Romance Kris Hamm Ross
My Love Is Like a Red, Red Marker Carrie St. Michel
A Second Chance Ariana Adams
Roses Not Required Rachel Wallace-Oberle
A Change of Heart Denise Jacoby
Dancing in the Aisles Amanda Krug
The Porsche Factor Mitali Perkins
2. PROPOSALS
Treasure Hunt Steve Manchester
The Last Quarter Ward Nickless
The Changing Tide Michelle Marullo
Until Death . . . Barbara Loftus Boswell
Storybook Proposal Matthew Cummings
Love Is in the Air Lynette Baker Helms
Hidden Treasures Michelle Isenhour
A Trail of Love Shad Purcell
Taking Care of Business Leigh P. Rogers
Popping the Question Elizabeth L. Blair
A Friend, Indeed! Sylvia Suriano
Never Say Never Sally Kelly-Engeman
3. THE PERFECT DRESS
She Did It Her Way Julie Firman
Priceless Nora E. Kessel
Given the Green Light Jeanne Hill
Holding It All Together Adele Noetzelman
Tagged for Delivery Pat Phillips
The Blessed Dress Sandy Williams Driver
Keepin’ the Faith Greta Montgomery
4. THE BIG DAY
A Snow Cloud’s Silver Lining Annmarie B. Tait
Kiss and Tell Theresa Chan
A Bouquet to Remember Cindy L. Lassalle
Flower Princess Nicole Owens
What Could My Country Do for Me? Carlienne A. Frisch
Dismally Late Jeanne Hill
My Love Is Like a Mountain Eileen Chase
At Ease Carol McAdoo Rehme
Should We or Shouldn’t We? Raegan Holloway
He Completed Us Michelle Lawson
Coming Full Circle Denise N. Wheatley
Built on Love Miriam Hill
Raining Love Kelly Stevens-Hartley
5. WHO GIVETH?
A Tale of Two Fathers Kimberly Ripley
The Best One Michelle Marullo
The Unconditional Step Donald R. Novakovich
Bedtime Fears Charlotte Lanham
Going Home Liza G. Maakestad
Angie’s Wedding Day Judith Givens
The Music Played On Nancy B. Gibbs
This Is Our Dance Amanda Parise-Peterson
The Unlikely Best Man Jenn Dlugos
Given Away Renata Waldrop
6. FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE
That’s Entertainment! Maryellen Heller
Of Blue Jeans and Buttons Maria Nickless
House to Home Mike Zeballos
Princess Bride Veneta Leonard
Te Amo, Te Quiero, Cariña Patrick Mendoza
In the End Barbara M. Johnson
A Second Chance at Remembering Becky Knutson, as told to Jeannie Kim
What Matters Most Shonna Milliken Humphrey
Old Love Turned Brand-New Vicki Frizzell, as told to Janet Matthews
Got Match? C. Capiz Greene
7. TREASURED MOMENTS
A Bridesmaid’s View from the Altar Kathy Passero