Why the Best Friendships Often Pick Right Up Where They Left Off!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend said, “I’m going to reserve a couple of condos near Branson for whoever wants to come and have a retreat.” I was all in for multiple reasons. First, I’m a part of this wonderful group of authors, we have monthly meetings, and I never get to go to those meetings. I don’t know the women as well as I’d like to. Since that “distance” is my problem, I knew this would be a way to make up for that–really get to know these women and make new friends… special. Deepen those relationships. Tie heartstrings with stronger knots. Kindle friendships All the metaphors!

But as I planned, the next reason slammed hard. This place is SO close to Noel, Missouri–to my beloved little church and all the people I love so much. And I’m going. I can’t wait. That little church in Noel holds some of the dearest memories for me.

In fact, I have a Blog post about it.

Mrs. Strickland who taught fourteen-year-old me that the most important thing was to know what the Bible says about something. Mr. Lett who taught Sunday school and now preaches. “Aunt Mary,” who I was accidentally (no, really!) sassy to and learned a lesson in allowing bad habits to creep into your life, even if they are meant in fun.

Then there’s my school chum, Aleta, who not only reminisced with me about “the old days,” but also helped me understand what I needed to do about Mom–and gave me insight into what had happened with my dad a year earlier.

I went back (as that blog post talks about) a couple of years ago and it was as if I’d never left. Those friendships… they’re special.

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Why the Best Friendships Often Pick Right Up Where They Left Off!

As a kid, I moved around a lot. I was always the new kid, and often every year. A couple of times TWICE in a year. No, Dad wasn’t in the military. Even they don’t move folks around as often as Dad did. I never went back to the same school twice, but I did get to revisit churches for long periods of time.

And I learned something. When Jesus is the cornerstone of friendships, even if life takes you in different directions, He’s still there holding a part of that friendship together. And when you reconnect? He’s still there. It’s beautiful.

So why am I blathering on about old friends like an old gal on a porch in a rocking chair telling the same story over and over to anyone who’ll listen (I am soooooo going to be that woman)?

Because today is release day for my latest novel! The Title Wave is a sorta second-chance romance/rekindling of friendship story that I loved writing. It tackles immature decisions made in the past with frankness in the present (so yes, they do talk about things and resolve them). It also deals with the fact that just because the past is resolved doesn’t mean that the future is going to be smooth sailing! Which is kind of funny, because um… there’s literally some REALLY rough waters in this one.

The Title Wave by Chautona Havig

All he wants to do is help people, but local women want to help themselves… to him!

When Henri Tupuola returned to Suamalie to open his holistic mental health clinic, he had no idea what he was getting into. After ten years in Australia getting his degree and practical experience under his mentor, the locals had all but forgotten the quiet “boy” who had always made them feel like he could see right through them.

Not anymore! The ladies of Lafoina are eager to meet the island’s therapist and spend hours staring deeply into his eyes on their weekly dates… ahem, sessions.

Desperate for relief, he hightails it down to The Title Wave and begs Ezra to order him a couple dozen copies of his own book. Yes, author copies would be cheaper, but he needs these things fast. Maybe if he hands out his book like an old-time quack handed out pills, the ladies will get the hint and leave him alone.

But when he tells his troubles to Ezra (who’s the therapist now?), and she jokes at how much her father would love to have people flocking to his “sessions” so to speak, Henri gets an idea that could save his sanity… if only Ezra will agree.

Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart.