I’m very happy to introduce you today to Heather Huffman! Heather and I first connected on Twitter (and also through our publisher, Booktrope) when I caught her talking about home schooling tricks that her kids were trying to play on her. My first tweet to her read something like “We tried to tell our mom that playing the piano counted for math lessons because we’d read it somewhere.” She and I started laughing and sharing stories from there.
I am a home schooled graduate, Heather is homeschooling her kids, and believe me, if you’ve been anywhere near the home schooling arena, that gives you plenty to laugh and swap stories about.
Besides making an amazing investment in her children, Heather is a kind-spirited and talented woman who writes about issues that are close to her heart on subjects that impact the lives of suffering thousands.
She’s a brave, ambitious writer and you’ll find this story of acceptance in the midst of a dark valley both beautiful and touching.
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BECAUSE I KNEW YOU by Heather Huffman
When Elise first asked if I would be interested in writing a post for the “Because I Knew You” series on her blog, my first though was “What an awesome series. I’m honored.” So I instantly said yes, and just as quickly started wondering just who I would write about. My problem wasn’t finding someone who changed my life for the better with their presence – it was finding just one person who changed my life for the better with their presence.
I went through the list in my mind: my parents, my sisters, my grandfather, various friends who’ve impacted me with their kindness… the list goes on. In truth, preparing for this post was a reminder for me how blessed I am.
One name kept coming back to me, though, and I ultimately chose her because if you were to ask Christine, she’d say she’s done nothing of importance. She doesn’t see how much she’s changed my world with her kindness.
I met Christine when I was at an all-time low in my life. My marriage was shattered, I had two small children with a third on the way, I was financially destitute and had no clue what was next. If ever I felt like a complete and total failure, it was then. All of the grand dreams of my youth were gone; in their place was the weight of the world.
Christine attended the church I’d been visiting (sporadically, because I half expected to be struck by a lightning bolt when I walked through the doors). She was beautiful, intelligent and successful with a picture-perfect marriage and picture-perfect children. I was terrified of her. I knew what someone like her must think when she saw someone like me.
Only that’s not how she treated me at all. She effused warmth and kindness, and she seemed to genuinely want to get to know me. She wanted to hear my story. She cared about my dreams. When everyone else would tell me I was insane, she’d admire my courage.
She was the one who reminded me I had worth. Whatever state it was currently in, my life had value and a purpose. She didn’t tell me that; she’s not one to offer advice. Listening is her forte. She never treated me like I was less or in need of her great wisdom. She simply loved me when I felt like no one else did.
As we grew closer, she shared her fears and failures with me. Even crazier, she thought I was the one who had it together. She thought I was fearless. The closer we became, the more I realized that we all put up the front of having it together, and we all have fears and failures buried beneath that façade.
I have come so far in the eight years that Christine and I have been friends. The marriage is still hanging in there, my children are all happy and healthy, and the pantry is full. But more than that, I have a purpose. I’ve found my dreams again. Like someone emerging from a cocoon, I’ve changed into a new creature that resembles who I was before that dark period in my life, only better, stronger. And I’m learning to fly.
And that’s in large part due to a woman who chose to be kind when others would judge.
When the whole world is falling down, I can laugh with Christine. When the whole world tells me I can’t, Christine says “why not?”
If you were to ask her, she’d tell you it was nothing. To me, it was everything.
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Heather Huffman writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense with strong female leads who refuse to lose hope. She sees her books as a way to not only entertain, but to also raise awareness of the realities of modern day slavery. She shares the passion of her resilient heroines to make a difference, and so dedicates both her time and a portion of her book royalties to organizations that fight against human trafficking.
Heather was born and spent her early childhood in Florida, but now calls the beautiful state of Missouri home. Her greatest joy, aside from writing, is to hit the road with her three boys for adventures unknown.
She is the author of Throwaway, Ties that Bind, Jailbird, Suddenly a Spy, Ring of Fire and Tumbleweed. You can find out more about her writing and charitable work on www.heatherhuffman.net.
