Page Title

WHY I WRITE: THE BEGINNING

By

Christina Weigand

One of the first articles I wrote for my column was entitled “Why I Write.” In the article I talked about my children and how
they are my inspirations and my muses. While I was writing I realized the one person was not included in this picture, but that
one person needed an article just dedicated to him. That one person is my husband Albert Weigand Jr.

Thirty years ago young man asked me out on what was to be the first of many dates. We had met at the church that both of our
families attended, where we were both singing in the Folk Group. Al was a senior at the rival high school and I was a junior. He
had taken my sister, Cheryl, to homecoming and had been spurned by her. Through a mutual friend, I let it be known that I was
interested in him. He asked me out on that first date and we have been together ever since. There have been many ups and
downs over the years, from the highs of our wedding day, the birth of our four children, our 25th wedding anniversary to the
lows of the death of my sister and our respective grandparents.

When Al asked me out on that first date I had no concept of the impact he would have on my life. Al and I married when we
were 19 and 18 years old and had our first son a year later.

I got to watch Al go back to school, work a full time job and support and raise a family. I was so proud of him for the example
he was setting for our children. I was also learning from him, because once he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree, I followed
his footsteps and went back to school for my degree. Those years were hard on everyone. Al and I did a lot of adjusting and
changing to accommodate my going to school and work.

Al supported me and pushed me when I was ready to quit. He helped out with the housework and taking care of our growing
family. Finally, after seven years, he was there to share the triumph of graduation.

When we found out we were pregnant with our fourth child after being almost finished with raising the first three, I was scared,
afraid that Al would leave, because the last thing he wanted was another child. He didn’t leave. In fact, he was more there
during the pregnancy than he had been for the other three. He went to almost every doctor’s appointment. He was there for
both of the sonograms, first breathing a sigh of relief because it wasn’t twins and then recovering quickly from his
disappointment that it was another girl so he could share my excitement and finally, sat with me for over 24 hours while I
labored and gave birth to Ana.

Now, he is beside me and encouraging me as I embark on yet another journey with God and my writing. I have basically
abandoned my Bachelor’s Degree to pursue a writing career and yet he is still there for me, encouraging, editing, and pushing me
to keep going when the rejection letter arrives in the mail.

Al and I’s spiritual journeys are in different places, yet he supports me and encourages my need to be with Christ. He has
realized how important my writing and God are to me and gives me what I need for that.

I feel blessed to have Al for a husband. He is my soul mate. Next to God Al is the most important soul mate I have. Al helps
me to discover myself and a world I only dreamed about as a child. He opened the doors of the world for me and held my hand
as I took those first tentative steps in this adult world. We have taken this journey together and will continue it together. So,
Al this is my love letter and birthday tribute to you.

Thank You for all you have given me
You are my muse and my inspiration,

You are my soul mate.

Happy 46th Birthday!

Xoxoxoxoxo

Love Always and Forever

Chris

Copyright 2006

Christina Weigand

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