Life has definitely been life-ing lately, and I’ve been away from the blog for a bit. But I can’t think of a better way to return than with this conversation. Recently, I was asked to read a book—and possibly interview the author.
Truthfully, from the very first pages, I was hooked. Author Laurie Collister has written what I’d call a unique coming-of-age story for women who have lived a little, loved a lot, and discovered that life rarely unfolds according to plan. Her book, A Different Kind of Vow, takes readers on a deeply personal journey in search of her — and maybe all of our — versions of happily ever after.
During our conversation, we laughed about the “checklists” so many women of a certain age grew up with when it came to marriage, family, and building the perfect life. We were raised on television shows where nearly every woman seemed happily married, vacuuming in pearls, cooking dinner, and living a picture-perfect existence — with maybe only Mary Tyler Moore offering a different path.
I remember reading that former First Lady Laura Bush was considered an “old maid” because she was still single and working when she met the future president, while he was viewed as an eligible bachelor — even though they were the exact same age. That double standard says so much about the expectations women carried for generations.
Laurie takes readers on a journey filled with memorable characters and moments that may leave you smiling — and occasionally thanking God someone didn’t become your forever person. Her story is one of self-discovery, career changes, dating disasters, spiritual awakening, personal growth, and learning that reinvention is possible at any stage of life.
As I read, I found myself laughing out loud and, more than once, wanting to tell Laurie exactly what she should do next. You have to remember, this was long before dating apps and curated online profiles. Back then, there were bulletin boards, chat rooms, blind dates, unfiltered photos, actual conversations, and no texting. In other words, dating required a little more courage — and a lot more imagination.
Our conversation reminded me that sometimes happily ever after looks nothing like we imagined it would when we were younger. And maybe that’s okay. Maybe happiness doesn’t come from checking every box on the list we created at twenty. Maybe it comes from finally becoming comfortable in our own skin and embracing the life we’ve built along the way.
Here’s our conversation with Laurie Collister. You can purchase A Different Kind of Vow–Rewriting My Happily Ever After on Amazon and follow Laurie on her social media pages. And while reading the book, you just may find yourself realizing that, despite all the twists and turns, you did okay after all.
Because remember — “thisisyourbestyear”.
