Baby Boomer Love on Valentine's Day

Out of nearly 400 entries, an essay written by an American wife, mother and grandmother living in Germany, came out on top. The contest was sponsored by Baby Boomer Author Beverly Mahone (Talk2bev.com) and Fabulously40.com. The grand prize winner receives a 3-day, 2-night mini vacation package to one of 26 destinations in the U.S.

"After thirty-two years of marriage, my hubby is still romantic. He doesn’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day to light candles, bring home flowers, cook elaborate dinners or give me a massage…" is how contest winner Angelika Schwarz begins her winning essay. She was one of nearly 400 baby boomer women who submitted entries for the first-of-a-kind contest.

In 250 words or less, baby boomer women were invited to write an essay on what advice they would give baby boomer men to help them prepare for an "exceptionally romantic" Valentine’s Day with their mates. The judges selected for this contest were five baby boomer men who were selected at random by Talks2Bev organizer and baby boomer expert, Beverly Mahone. "I thought it would be a great idea to have middle aged men read what middle aged women are thinking about when it comes to romance," says Ms. Mahone.

After all of the initial entries were read, the field was narrowed down to a total of 11 finalists. Author Debra-Shiveley Welch from Ohio, Author Linda J. Alexander Maryland, Writers Diane Tegarden and Dana Hall California and Nita Lopez of Washington State, Gospel Recording Artist Jenniefer Evans and Author Jaisun McMillian of North Carolina and Poet Eve Hall of Georgia. But in the end, the winning essay came from Angelika Schwarz, a native of Boston, who now makes her home in Germany. Her description of her husband wooed the judges:

"I see in the shadows of the night, his silhouette bending over our grandchild’s crib, as he sings in deep whispered tones an old German lullaby.
Watching him laugh with his sons, till tears of merriment roll down his cheeks.
I see the flicker of admiration and love in his eyes when I just happen to look up at him. I feel the warm palm of his hand, as he lays it on the small of my back as we cross a street."

In addition to Fabulously40.com, other sponsors for the contest were Sonshine Travel, Midlifeheroine.com, Business Resources Podcast Directory, HealthierOutcomes.com, OlderWiserWomen.org, Veriuni All Natural Products, My Little Taste of Italy, The Secrets of Prosperity with Kim Emerson, WECAI Network, Healthy Women’s Network, Gano Excel Coffee & Tally Green.

To view the winners and their essays Ms. Mahone invites you to visit her website at: http://www.talk2bev.com and she laughs and says "Purchase a copy of my book while you’re there!"

Talk2Bev.com & Fabulously40.com Team Up for Valentine's Day

I'm convinced that some men really need help when it comes to knowing how to please their mates on Valentine's Day. And I've decided to help them, along with some help from Fabulously40.com and a few hundred women.

This year I'm teaming up with Fabulously40.com to sponsor the First Annual Baby Boomer Valentine's Day Contest in which baby boomer women will be submitting their thoughts and ideas on what a man needs to do in order to sweep the love of his life off of her feet and give her the most romantic day imaginable.

The judges are five baby boomer men I selected at random. The only person I know in the group is a deacon at my church and I have to tell you, I chose him because of the relationship I have witnessed between him and his wife. The other judges were selected because we are all writers and are connected in one group or another on-line.

It should be interesting because you know we women tend to be very opinionated.

Is Valentine's Day only set aside for young lovers or do baby boomer babes like me get the honor and privilege of being showered with flowers, gifts, love, kisses and a fulfillment of a sexual fantasy? Has age caused us to put the romantic holiday aside because it's "just another day?" Or have we become too wrapped up in other personal or professional matters that we can't appreciate the love that we share?

I remember Valentine's Day when I was younger. The most beautiful gift I ever received was a heart shaped necklace that came from my first high school boyfriend. You know the kind that is split in two with both of your names on each half? It had such sentimental value because he was not the romantic type at all. The fact that took the time and went out to find a necklace like that for me meant more than words can express here. I kept it for many years.

These days I treasure the love I share with my second husband. He is all that I could ever want and more. He is my soul mate. Everyday is Valentine's Day with him and I thank God for the hook-up!

If I were entering the contest I would give this advice: Show your mate the same consistent, passionate love each and every day so she will tell her girlfriends, as I often do, that EVERYDAY is Valentine's Day in our home.

You can get all the details for the contest by going to my website and clicking on Valentine Contest and then submitting your entry to:

babyboomervalentine@gmail.com:

I might also add that there will be ten (10) winners selected with the GRAND PRIZE WINNER receiving a mini vacation package, courtesy of Sonshine Travel. Other sponsors include: Business Resources Podcast Directory, Women's E Commerce International, A Little Taste of Italy, Healthier Outcomes.com, Tally Green & Gano Excel Healthy Coffee, Tasha Beckman & SendOutCards, The Secrets of Prosperity, etc.

I don't know about you but I'm glad to have lived long enough to appreciate what it means to truly love and to have that Special "I love you" Valentine feeling throughout the year.