For 16 years I have been a single mother (both with my daughter and with my 5 year old son). That however is quite a story of its own that I will reserve for my book, Maiden, Mother, Master at a later time. All I can say is that the best lessons learned about how to know love, give love, become love, and attract the right love were gained through the difficult relationships with my both my children's fathers.

Last mother's day, was a perfect day. My children took me out for breakfast and then washed my car. Later in the day I had packed a picnic lunch and was headed for Lynch Park in Beverly, MA.

This park has everything, playground, beach, picnic areas, lovely rose gardens, etc. The park didn't officially open until summer, so with the exception of locked bathrooms we could stay there all day. Well, my son and I went to the Rose Garden for our picnic. The cherry blossoms were blooming and the sun was warm and the garden was situated so that the cool spring ocean breeze didn't reach us. Families were all around us enjoying mother's day. As my son was gathering flowers and placing them in a circle all around me, I was in deep contemplation about my love life. I kept saying in my mind, "I would love to have a man who really loved me wish me Happy Mother's Day

A little later we started to walk across the field towards the playground. This young man (Matthew) and his 5 year old son were heading towards us. As we intersected he looked at me and said "You're back!? Confused, I said "Oh, you must have seen me leave. The bathrooms were locked." He was still oddly staring at me "It is you." and so I said, "I'm sorry; did you mistake me for someone?" He continued to smile at me and to his dismay, I smiled back, said, "Have a nice day," and walked back toward the swings.

A few minutes later, Matthew came and sat next to me on the bench. The boys ran off to play and he said "It's good to see the boys still get along." I looked at him, "I am sorry do I know you?" Well here is the amazing part: "He said .....You don't remember me? It was almost a year ago, on a Fall day, your son had on a brown coat and we sat and talked about these things....and as he started reminding me of our conversations, I did recall speaking with him one other time a year earlier. At that point, he looked at me with the sincerest blue eyes and said "Oh, by the way...HAPPY MOTHERS DAY"... This was the awakening moment and literally, I heard a loud thunderous clap that seemed to resound from a very odd inner realm. My wish to find true love along with the circumstances that manifested it into reality came in a very tangible way.

So the lesson here is that you can find true love in strange places. My wish came true on Mother's Day 2009 and one year later, I can say that we are happily living ever after each wonderful day with a deep bond held in true love.

Our first date was just as magical as our meeting. We have been together since and have our wedding date set for 2011 and you are invited! Watch for information about "Living your Cherished Life" retreat 2011.