Gift Suggestions:

Anniversary - The Book of Us

Wedding - What I Love About You

Birthday - The Book of Myself

[Photo: Kate and David Marshall]

A beautiful letter to the Marshalls (July 2008, posted with permission and different names):

Although I'm sure you have an abundance of fan mail to read, I feel the desperate need to share my story and to thank you.
 
I am a Canadian (32-year-old!) girl who is madly in love with a British soldier. The love story that Mark and I share is quite incredible, really, as we met as 16-year-olds on my final night in England and fell instantly in love. I had to leave for Canada the next morning and, standing at the bus in the rain, I speechlessly shoved a crumpled piece of paper with my address on it into his hand and boarded the bus, unable to comprehend the overwhelming sadness and physical pain I was feeling inside. The next five years brought a constant exchange of letters and vows to never love others and to see each other again as soon as we could. But the university years and, I imagine, 'growth' and maturity led us in different directions and the letters eventually ceased altogether.

After 7 years -- quite tumultuous ones for me -- of no contact, I found myself thinking of him often, wondering where he ended up and where his life had taken him. I took a chance on his parents' address that I had from 12 years earlier and penned a short note and dropped it in the post. Within two weeks, I'd received an aerogramme in return and - to use cliche after cliche - we've never looked back... the rest is history. We have been a blissful (although separated by an ocean!) couple ever since.
 
3 weeks ago, Mark was ordered to go to Afghanistan. He was given 2 weeks notice. I flew to England for the 1.5 days he was given to settle his afairs and to say goodbye to his family. I had only hours with him to tell him face-to-face all that he has meant to me, all of the happiness he has brought to my life. But what could I possibly give to him to take with him? What gift would be portable, practical and purposeful, yet most of all MEANINGFUL and representative of US...? Then I found "What I Love About You".
 
In short, I want to thank you. Thank you for giving me the gift of expression. As an English teacher and avid reader and writer, I feel I am gifted with words. However, I would never have been able to cover all of the ground that your book allowed me to, especially in the time constraint I was suddenly under to tell him all I could before he left. I am good at telling Mark over and over that I love him, that I miss him, and that I am blessed to have had him come into my life, but your prompts and checklists allowed for creativity, humour, and the chance to recollect things I might not have.  You should also know how therapeutic the process was for me. I was not coping well, to put it mildly. I was sad, terrified, unbelievably angry, and your book helped soothe me, reassure me. It put things in perspective, and reminded me of what is so important in life: the 'little' things, and love, and knowing that no matter what happens, I will always have him in my life, in my heart.
 
Thank you also for helping me to give Mark a constant reminder of how much he means to me; while his safety is of the utmost importance to me, a near-second is reassuring him that I am always thinking of, missing, and wishing for him. Our contact is so limited, but I've received two messages from him and in both he thanks me for the book... He says it's the nicest gift he could ever have received and is cherishing it. I am quite confident that it may give him some peace at the end of not-so-peaceful days, and that it reminds him of what he has to look forward to when he feels a little low. Most of all, I believe that your book is the only true connection we'll have in these next 6 months; we are in two very different places, but that book holds all that brought us -- and will keep us -- together.
 
I really can't express my gratitude, my appreciation and my admiration for what you've done. Just as there sometimes aren't words to describe my feelings for Mark, I could never articulate for you all that your work means to me.
 
Sincerely,
Christina 

We created this journal to celebrate love and offer a fresh way for couples to say "I love you." The questions and fill-in blanks prompt you to say what’s in your heart but maybe not always on the tip of your tongue. Playful and tender, this is the perfect gift for the person in your life who makes your pulse race.

What I Love About You makes a romantic gift for special occasions such as anniversaries, Valentine's Day and birthdays, or just because the spirit moves you. It is equally good for couples in passionate love as well as those looking for ways to rekindle the sparks. Expressing love is always the answer.

Written by Kate and David Marshall, happily married since 1984. (Kate and David Marshall, Broadway Books, January 2007, 50,000+ sold)

Have you ever wanted to create your own autobiography or wish you had the life stories of a relative or friend? The Book of Myself is a do-it-yourself memoir that helps you record and preserve the experiences and knowledge of a lifetime for years to come. Divided into Early, Middle, and Later Years, this keepsake volume contains 201 questions that guide you through the process of keeping memories on subjects such as family and friends, learning and education, work and responsibilities, and the world around you.

The Book of Myself is the perfect way for you, or someone close to you, to remember the turning points and everyday recollections of a lifetime and share them with future generations. Perfect for genealogy and family history lovers.

Written by David Marshall and his late grandfather Carl. (Carl and David Marshall, Hyperion, 1997 and 2007, 260,000+ sold)

Would you like to preserve the memories of your own love story? This souvenir volume contains 150 simple yet thoughtful questions that help record the stories and moments of the romance of a lifetime. The Book of Us helps any couple remember and cherish the story of their most important love, from first date to wedding day and through the years beyond. The journal is divided into sections like Getting to Know You, Tying the Knot, Starting Out Together, The Middle Years and The Later Years. Each page invites a memory or reflection.

Whether a couple has been together one year or fifty, this heartfelt stroll down memory lane is an ideal present for engagement parties, wedding showers, or as a romantic anniversary gift or Valentine Day gift. Also appropriate to help family elders record their love story for present and future family history and geneology buffs.

Written by husband-wife team David and Kate Marshall. (David and Kate Marshall, Hyperion, 1998, 140,000+ sold)

You have so much to share—and now here is a touching and lasting way to do so in this personalized advice journal. Words to Live By provides a simple, elegant template so you can share your thoughts with someone you love. Whether it's a simple life lesson or hard-won wisdom, you can offer your caring suggestions for how to get the most out of life. Fill out this journal for an important person in your life to celebrate a graduation, a birthday, a holiday, or simply the fact that you love them. Complete the book yourself or call on friends and family to contribute with a chorus of loving voices. With sections on happiness, money, health, friendship, romance, spirituality, work, citizenship, success, raising children, and having fun, Words to Live by is a deeply personal present that will be treasured for years to come.

Words to Live By is an ideal graduation gift, birthday present or coming of age gift from parents or grandparents to a young person leaving for college, the military or starting a new life.

Written by mother-daughter team Emily and Kate Marshall. (Emily and Kate Marshall, Broadway Books, 2005)