It's 9AM.

Happy V-Day

We’ve been together a long time.

Some of us.

Some of us are new.

Some forget they signed up.

And some swore to never forget.

Or forgive.

You know, typical relationships.

We’ve shared a few tragedies and suffered some losses together.

We’ve shared more than a few wins, especially when a beautiful day full of cold drinks and good books goes in the W column.

The world has seemed to spin out of control around us at times, and we stayed grounded with our common love.

Reading.

Movies.

TV.

Entertainment.

I think that’s what makes love better.

Laughing.

Well, the beast with two backs makes love way better too.

And if you can laugh while mattress dancing, all the more power to making it last.

Staying together.

Learning.

Growing.

All the things we are supposed to do.

I try to learn something new every day.

Sometimes it’s a skill.

Sometimes it’s a fact.

Sometimes, I learn that I am wrong and I try to change my way of thinking.

Self observation. Self reflection. Self correction.

I get convinced of things because I know I view them through a certain perspective.

That grit is a super power.

That hard work is more than it’s own reward, it is a path to success.

And success is hard to define because it’s like art.

An art of success.

Is long term love a success?

I think it can be.

But it can also be a catalog of missed opportunities, I think.

We set out on pathways, and as we go along, we put on sort of blinders.

I see it in conversations with people from different walks of life.

They speak in a shorthand about their jobs, their family, their lives.

And I know it first hand.

When I sneeze, I say “Gibby!”

It’s from the TV show “ICarly” that I watched with my kids as they grew up.

Gibby was a character on the show and he said it a lot.

“Gibby.”

I did it after a sneeze one time in front of my kids, one of those loud, obnoxious sneakers that catches you at an inopportune time.

And it earned a laugh.

True belly laughs where three little ones were on the verge of rolling on the floor, laughing at their old Dad.

So I did it again.

And again.

Until it became a habit.

Just one of those things that I still do, even now that they are out of the door and learning to live lives of their own.

Gibby.

The same with “Damn It Jim.”

I pepper conversations with it.

Not all the time, just at appropriate times.

Can you imagine getting ready to make sweet sweet love to your sweetheart and muttering in breathy passion, “Damn it, Jim.”

There are just too many ways to take it.

That’s what she said.

Blinders and shorthand.

We’ve all got them, and I am curious about yours on this day of love.

Do you and your passion partner have a phrase that pops up?

Do you and your kids have a secret language with each other, a one word muttering that sparks memories and gales of laughter?

Share with me.

And I will share with you.

A few things.

First, my gratitude for you being on this adventure with me.

The transition is on going and I am learning this new system, but if you still get the email more than once, email me Chrislowrybooks@gmail.com and I’ll dig into it.

I appreciate you.

Second, it’s V- Day, and since I can’t share some shagadelic Austin Powers love with more than half of you, (hello ladies, would you like a glass of Courvoisier?” I’ll share some free books.

No email needed.  Just a click and a smile.

The list is here on the blog. Grab to your heart’s content.

And of course, if you want to keep up with what’s going on, click subscribe and/or head over to YOUTUBE to listen to more free books.

This year calls for a lot more audio love from real live narrators and moi, so stay in the loop plus new works in every series.

Plus I’ve got more for you at 9AM.

Don’t forget to grab your gifts and remember to have an incredible Day of Love.

And if you don’t have someone to send you a Valentine, email me, because I’ve got one for you.

Thanks for reading the free version of the 9AM newsletter.

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PS. Want to send some free book love to your reading friends? Feel free to share this list with them.