Post to the Host
Host Garrison Keillor answers your questions about life, love, writing, authors, and of course, A Prairie Home Companion.
Please Advise
February 26, 2009 | 5 Comments
Dear Mr. Keillor,
Could you please give me some advice on writing a love letter? This Tuesday is my husband's birthday, and this year (as in all previous years), I am giving him tools. He is always appreciative of them, and the staid engineer inside of him always sees to their efficient use and excellent care. But this time, that gift just seems an insufficient substitute for what I truly want to express to him.
The problem is that compliments generally make him uncomfortable, so perhaps a love letter is simply a selfish endeavor resulting from the hormones of early pregnancy. What do you think?
B.L.
Charlotte
--
Maybe what your engineer dislikes about compliments is their verobosity. Likely he is a man of few words who likes words to count for something. So don't gush. You could write: "I love you more than you know and I am so happy to be having your baby." If he isn't moved by that, then kick him to see if he has reflexes.
5 Comments
|
Previous Post: |
Next Post: |
Post to the Host Archive
- The Lake Wobegon Effect
- Longevity
- Abdication vs. Retirement
- Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility
- Memory
- Sarah Bellum
- Starting Over
- Do you get to laugh?
- Keep Looking Ahead
- Big City vs. Hometown
- Awful Timing for Love
- Write Funny
- Telling a Story
- Fathers and Daughters
- Big City Yearnings
- Performing in Public
- Visiting Denmark
- Breaking into Show Business
- Moving Back with Mom
- Surviving as a journalist
- Advice for a Competitive Campaign
- A Life-Changing Moment
- In Search of a Wedding Poem
- Trying to turn a passion into a profession
- Spring Break
- American Jokes
- Norwegian Immigration to Lake Wobegon
- One thing leads to another
- All Good Writing is Rewriting
- The Goodbye To Childhood You're On Your Own Now Ceremony
- Skiing in the Alps
- Competing against the young
- Finding confidence
- The value of public universities
- Ruining Lutefisk
- A Christmas Blizzard
- Memoirs
- How do I get noticed?
- Poetry and the Fairer Sex
- Developing a natural voice
- Pentecost
- Boycott
- Anonymous in the Big City
- Thanks to Ford
- Offended
- What happened to that "Sweet Biscuit Fiddle?"
- "Tom and Sally"
- NOTE FROM THE HOST
- SFX Lady??
- Missing The Old Scout
- Live in San Diego
- So Where's Sinclair?
- This is my first big trip away from home. Any advice for a first-time traveler?
- How come the house band is called The Shoe Band?
- October 21 Cinecast
- Getting into the Radio Business
- On the 12th Floor of the Acme Building...
- Going to the Big City!
- 73 Days of Summer Vacation
- Help with a Eulogy
- Where Do I Start?
- Fantasy League Whippets
- Clergywomen in Lake Wobegon
- The more you write, the better it gets
- The Voice
- A Note from GK about Retirement
- Low Self-Esteem
- Useless Degrees
- Car Bomb
- The Dog-Ears of Summer
- Dealing with Disappointment
- Rejection Letters
- English Majors Strike Again
- 7th Grade Report
- GK Responds to Cinecast Posts
Complete Post to the Host Archive
Ade | February 27, 2009 6:53 AM
and yet...
in the heat of passion...
do i gush about my love...?
i do....!
Lois | February 27, 2009 5:01 PM
I gave two surprise birthday parties for my ex (Italian -- not sure if this is important) during our marriage and I really feel he loved both of them. For whatever that is worth. On the other hand, being from the Mid West, I don't know how that would go over in Wis/Min.
Mary | March 7, 2009 7:21 PM
Yes! I did this! Thirty years ago, the impending birth of our first child was confirmed the day before my husband's 26th birthday. Instead of gifts (there were certainly plenty of appropriate, *First-Time-Expectant-Dad* things I could have purchased), I chose, instead, to write him a letter of love, adoration, and how much FUN we would have scheming all the creative, sneaky ways to have "Private Mommy and Daddy Play Time," once we had children. The letter was long and graphic, and he really did enjoy reading it. At the end of the letter (and I was truly amazed that, even then, he had not yet caught on), I thanked him for the impending "life of our love." Finally, he got it! To his dying day, he spoke often and fondly of all the fun he and I had together that night ~ and, yes, we had fun! He claimed it was his best birthday ever. Incidentally, the baby girl I delivered exactly eight months later will turn thirty next month. Many, many happy memories ...
Oosik | March 7, 2009 9:10 PM
Dear Mr. Keillor,
I'm not asking for you advice. I have no need.
Even if offered I'd likely not heed.
I just wanted to take an opportunity to tell you I've enjoyed enjoyed your books, and broadcasts, immensely, for many years.
Your reply is inciteful and diabolic. It sounded men think women talk too much without actually saying it.
Heron | April 18, 2009 5:42 PM
Mary, your love letter idea is positively delicious. I hope your husband continues to appreciate you!