The Romance Novel That Ignited True Love ft. Uzma Jalaluddin

1:26AM Mar 14, 2022

Speakers:

Keywords:

book

romance novels

anthony

read

athena

people

love

brunch

uber driver

married

listening

story

date

world

library

learning

feel

watermelon juice

writing

muslim

Can a romance novel inspire a love story off the page? Today we are hearing from two people who fell in love over literature. Plus, we have an extra special surprise. I'm Sarah Wendell.

Hi, I'm Alicia Rai. Welcome to lovestruck daily where we bring a love story to your ears every single day. I'm in love with the saying to you I'm in love with you. Let's do another question in the New York Times 36 questions to fall in love Sarah, because I am dying to get to know you more. I am a big fan of this quiz. They put it out. New York Times put it out. And I know a lot of couples who have taken it. I've taken it with my oh gosh, fiance. That sounds so weird to say I've taken it with my fiance. And we've learned a lot about each other. So I just want to learn more about my little work wife here. This question this week, is

if you had a perfect day, what would it be? Oh, gosh,

I don't. There, the minute you say perfect day, like 10 million things rushed into my brain. But do you know I think my most perfect days are the ones where things are kind of simple. So maybe like I would go to the beach with Kai. And we'd pack like a cooler full of stuff. And we'd have a little picnic there and just listen to the water. I don't really like to get into the ocean. But I like to listen to the waves. And I think that would be like a perfect day for me. Very simple, very, very lucky but just filled with everything I

like my best day would probably be also a day at the beach. You have to have french fries on the beach. So I'd probably Yeah, have a big one. Big order fries.

Of course we'd bring a book,

I think. Are you kidding? Absolutely. Got to bring a book. Yeah, we

bring we bring one of our favorite romance novels. Yes. Because I think that that's like beaches. I mean, there's a reason they call them beach reads. And there's nothing wrong with being a beach read. I always I always get a little upset when people say that derogatorily you know, or in a derogatory way, because each trade is like the highest of compliments. Yes, please read me while you're relaxing. I love it very much. So have you ever seen somebody reading the same book as you? Oh, yes. And then get very excited. I've seen somebody read one of my books in public and that freaks me out. I almost died. I was at a pool. And she was sitting on the opposite. I still remember she's sitting on the opposite like lounger. And I looked at the book and I was like milkier premiere. And then I was in the pool and I looked at it again. I was like, Oh wait, that's my book was so weird. And I didn't say anything because I felt shy.

It would be so intimidating. Right? Like it was like, Hey, I hope you like that cuz I wrote it.

Yeah. I'm like also like, how do you not sound goofy? Like, oh, yeah, that book you're reading I wrote it. There's no way to not sound silly. So I didn't say anything. But I hope I hope if she hears this, maybe she'll know.

Well, I mean, a good book could do a lot for your life. Right?

I think it could even start your own love story. I think you're right about that. So today we have one of our favorite examples of a relationship igniting from the tinder of a good book. Anthony Gutierrez and Athena matava bonded over books and libraries on their first date, Chief of which was a book they were both reading at the time called ie shed last night was my Joel Luton, one of my favorite books. I love that book. So good. They are now engaged Anthony and Athena, and they're getting married in December. Please welcome Anthony and Athena. We're so excited to have you guys. This was such a cute story. And we're really excited to talk to you about it. How did you two meet? Like where did you meet? We

worked out very similar orgs and like a similar industry? So we actually met at a conference.

Oh, but were either of you like on the haps? Or, you know actively looking? Or was this just like a chance thing?

I'm like a hopeless romantic. And I'm just like, always, just like, I'm gonna find love. Like, it'll just be the next event or like the next swipe or whatever. So I was definitely looking. I did not expect that that work event to meet someone who I would eventually marry. I'd never thought I would marry someone in the same policy space workspace that we're in.

So actually, at this time, I literally had on my board, like do not date for another year. He came to visit and I was like, Well, that didn't work. So I met him like he was hanging out with my co workers. And I think they like introduce me to him. I will say like I did for some reason I just really wanted Anthony to like me. I don't know why I think because I coworkers liked him so much. That'll do it. Yeah. So it's like, I want it to be cool, too. We were just talking, Anthony handed me his card, and was like, let me know if you ever want to get coffee. And then in my head, I was like, Wait, so did we just like network, like, what just happened?

I did give her my card first, because I thought it was like, a networking kind of event. And then, like, she denies this, but then she like, touched my arm, and was like giving me 35. So then I was like, Oh, I guess I can keep talking to you and see, like, what's up.

And like, during this time, before Anthony came, there's like this other dude that was hitting on me at a table. And he was like, you know, like, there's a music festival happening this weekend in Denver, and I'm like, I'm gonna fly you. And Anthony came up to me. And he was like, so your Uber is ready, if you want to go, he kept us It seemed that his place was on the way. Yeah, I

mean, it was like 30 minutes out of the way to get your house from like event to get to mine. So like, Uber drivers are always listening to you. So I was like, I was like, Hey, man, so you heard me ask her out? Like, what do you think are the odds she's gonna actually come out with me? And he was like, no chance. I like went like from up to down is like, well, the Uber driver has zero faith in me, but I'm gonna gonna try anyways.

And then in the car, he asked me if we want to get dinner and I was like, dinners a lot. You know, why don't we try brunch? You know, that's during the day, I would prefer that. And and so we ended up going. And that is where we have our first date.

I do love your confidence. And I think that that's something that, you know, people get very bogged down in, you know, what if they reject me, what if they do this? But really, you're just like, I'm gonna put myself out there and see what happens and no harm done. Right. Like, that's a really good, I think attitude to have towards it. Now on yeah, it works. on your, on your very first day, you actually bonded over a certain book, which I really love, because books are kind of my jam. So can you tell us a little bit about that?

I think you should start Anthony.

Oh, I'll start this one. Yeah, so we she told me, We could only do brunch. And she showed up, like 1015 minutes late, which I was like, flag. But then she told me later that she cuz she was like, I'm trying to look really cute. So we get to this brunch place. And I'm really nervous. I'm already having like a brunch cocktail. And we just start talking about like her job. And it kind of continues the conversation from the bar. So I was kind of like, is this a networking thing? Is that why she pushed me to brunch? Like, what's the vibe, so try to be really respectful. And then she was saying that, you know, like, she was already talking about what she was going to do after the date. So to me, I was like, Oh, she's really counting down the minutes till we're done. She's gonna go to the library to return this book I read. It's a Muslim romance novel. And I was like, I was like, let me see you have it with you. Ladies. Let me see it. And she pulls it out. I used to that last out of her bag. And then like, no joke, I leaned over to my backpack. And I was like midway through the book, and pulled it out and was like, I'm actually reading I was going to finish on the bus ride home after this date. And she's like, Oh, I just finished it. And she was like, why are you reading a Muslim romance novel? And I was like, well, actually, I just read lots of romance novels. So this is just like in the queue.

I actually I'd never read romance novels before that book. That was my first one. It's a good one to start with. Yeah. And I got it because my coworker, like just said, like, this is a book that really made me smile. And I was like, interesting. So I like picked it up. And I read it. And I was like, I love this. And so when I found out Anthony, first of all, when I found out he was reading it, I was like you read romance novels. Interesting. And then I just at night, read a ton of romance novels, because Anthony's like, that's all I read now.

So, you know, like, we did our brunch day. And, you know, she was like, Well, I have to return this book. Do you just want to come with me? And so we went to the library together and like, wandered and like looked at books together. And then we went to like late lunch together. And I got her watermelon juice at the farmers market. And I mean, it was pretty much like non stop from that. I mean, at that point, she might as well throw in the post it away because you know, we were she was in it.

Is that right at the mat? Were you in it? At the watermelon juice and the library visit? You can say yes. Yeah,

I wasn't in you were in it. I wasn't planning to be in it, but I was in it. Yeah,

I mean the best laid plans right? Yeah. I really I like I I just love this because I shut last is like one of my I think favorite books and I just think it's such a great thing to bond over. What would you say to like Uma? Like if she was listening right now like what would you say to her?

What would you want to say? Yeah,

thank you so much for writing one of beautiful story for being a part Have our romance story. And I mean, for me, it was also really interesting. You know, like Athena as Muslim, I'm not, it was really interesting to see romance with that cultural context. And then to almost like, immediately be in that cultural context was, was a Yeah, it was really important to me. So the diversity of that book was really helpful.

We do have a surprise for you. And we have a very special guest

Hi, everyone, it was my

day is too overwhelming.

Hello, everyone. Hi, Veenai. Anthony, this is I've been trying not to cry. I've just been listening to this, like a fly on the wall. And your story is so beautiful. And like as Romance Writers, you know, we just kind of put this joy out into the world, and we just don't know where it will go or where it will land. So I'm so honored and privileged to feel like I was a little part of your love story. So beautiful. Are you okay, Anthony? Level?

Wow. Awesome. This is like, I have no words. This is amazing.

I'm so glad. I mean, like this is this is so wild. Like that you you did put something out in the world. And it ignited a real life kind of connection, and a love story and a new life, you know, a new partnership. That is, yeah, how does that feel for you?

i I'm overwhelmed as as a as a lifelong reader and a lover of books. Like this is what I never thought that this would happen. I never thought my book would be published in the first place. And to see it inspire, you know, it didn't even play like obviously, you guys have done the hard work of, you know, finding each other and sustaining a relationship. But to even be a part of that. It's so beautiful and overwhelming. It's like look, diverse love brought us together. So that's really what it is to really.

Are you okay, Anthony?

I'm not often surprised. This was a this was quite a surprise.

What have you learned about love from reading romance novels? And, you know, particularly XMOS book, like, what was what is your sort of takeaway?

So I think like, so when people find out I read romance novels, I think it's like, your, it's a little shocking, because I think it's like mostly women who read like I'm in book clubs with mostly who have any read them. And I actually think that's kind of a mistake. Like, I feel like I see a lot more men who are more vulnerable, who are more open, who are more real. There's not like there's not really like machismo. And to me, that just opened up opportunities for me to feel more comfortable to be more open, more emotional, more sensitive. So I love reading that. And then I love that fun, like just the damsel in distress. And the man who saves her, it's very much so two people who come together to kind of figure out how they can make a life together.

Do you see when my coworkers love him?

Yes, I can very much see that. Definitely. Oh, yeah, for sure. Anthony, you talked a little bit about how reading was in this book. Because Athena is Muslim, like how that you feel helped you a little bit in your relationship? Do you think those differences have sort of made your relationship stronger, like the intercultural or inter religious differences between you,

I think what was helpful for me more than anything, it just made me really open to like her cultural practices, and you know, the things that her family really appreciates, and practices. So if anything, it just made me more kind of comfortable, because I'd seen it in an aspect that I kind of knew, and, you know, like, Persian New Year is coming up, and we're going to be setting up you know, all of our, the little pieces, and I just relearn it every year. And I'm learning Farsi so that I can talk more to her family. So it's just like a cultural awareness. And then, like putting it into practice, I think those are both kind of stem from like, learning about it. And in a book that I was going to read anyways.

Yeah, so it's kind of like a, like a window for you into her life. That's very cool. That's why are you freaking out right now? Cuz I would.

I totally am. I'm like, Oh, can I put this in a book? Yeah,

exactly. Where my mind went to. I mean, this is this is truly inspiration. How do you usually find inspiration? Just curious.

You know, we get inspired by everything. And I think your story, hearing the entirety of the story now it's just, you don't know where love is going to find you. Like you really don't you could be at a work event annoyed at your coworkers. And here's your knight in shining armor who saves you from this guy who's trying to pick you up like how how awesome and ordinary and wonderful is that? Right? Like it's just the beauty in everyday life. I love that and that's really what I'm inspired by most of the time. I like to write about regular people finding love, and all sorts of different ways. I'm working on my third book right now desperately Alicia I'm in edits helped me deepen edits, and, but that's what keeps you going Right Like for me, it's being able to write about the types of people and the types of communities that growing up I never saw it represented on the page like I never read a romance about Muslim people like a mine were always the victims, right? But to be able to, I feel so, so lucky really to be able to bring these these stories to life. And look, you guys are having your own little love story in real life. It's it's beautiful. I'm feeling all the fields.

Do you have any romantic advice for them? Any romance author expert advice for them as they embark on this journey? Learning? Oh, my

God, romance, author advice or

just expert advice? I mean, you were kind of experts like we are. We are we haven't totally.

Well, I I've been married for I'll be celebrating my, my 20th anniversary with my husband this year. Yeah, I know, I know. I got married young. So. So my husband and I are celebrating our 20th we have two two kids together. And I would say you know, we're very different people. But the thing that I love about him and I think the thing he loves about me is that I always feel like I'm learning something new from him. And he he loves to hear about and cheer on my my writing journey. And we give each other the freedom to just be ourselves. And not really, I've never wanted to change him, we never want to change me. And it's coming from, you know, like a South Asian community where, you know, there's a little bit of like a mold of the kind of person that you should be the kind of face you should present to the world. What I what really drew me to him, In the beginning was that he he didn't expect me to be a certain way. He was just like you, do you. And I'm just going to stand back and let you be who you are. And that's really, I think one of the respect and the the love that comes from that. It's it's a good place to start. And it's a good thing that we that we always tried to build on. As the years pass. The days are long, but the years are short. Remember that

too? So sure. Yeah. I think that's really important to remember. Very, it sounds like that's what you guys did. I mean, you're two very, very much individuals and you've somehow managed to find your way to each other despite despite post it's telling you. The post is gone, right?

Tossed Yeah, I was like, I don't know who I was kidding.

Anthony or Athena? Do you have any final words for Ozma? Or for the audience?

I mean, I think I would say be open minded to new experiences, new people, new books, you know, I mean, I'm like, what if I never had that book? And like, read it? Like, would I? I mean, I feel like I would still think Anthony was great, but I feel like at that moment, I was like, oh, like, this is like a sign, you know? Yeah. So yeah, just be open minded to experiences of different things.

I would just say date men who read romance novels. They're, you know, they're a great group of people. They're very sensitive and charming.

I would wholeheartedly agree with you. You should absolutely demon can confirm regrow for 100%. Yeah. And there should be a book club actually. Just for shares. Yeah, you should start that Anthony in the DMV.

Okay. I'll work on that. Yeah, work

on that. Well, thank you. Thank you, Anthony. Thank you, Athena for coming on. We really appreciate thank you for bringing this story to us. We love it so much. And thank you to him, of course for being our special surprise. Guest I hope. I hope you guys have a wonderful wedding and a wonderful life.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you for writing books. Thank you for having us. It's wonderful.

Sarah, what is your love to go for today's episode, which is the cutest episode in the world? Oh my gosh, what is something what what do you want our listeners to take with them into the day?

The idea that you should absolutely unabashedly love what you love and be yourself that Anthony feels confident in who he is and what he loves to just be like, Yeah, I read romance and that's the one I'm reading that brought him a person who he's marrying. being who you are in the world will bring the people who best fit what you love into your life. At least that's my faith anyway. So that is my love to go be who yourself on a Bashan

I love that and and if anybody would like to tell us who they are, please send an email to lovestruck daily at Frolik dot media if you have a love story to share, or any questions or thoughts or you want

to tell us about what book you're reading do that too. Yeah.

Oh, yeah. Anything. Please follow us on Instagram or Twitter and lovestruck daily for extra content. And please please, please leave a review subscribe spread the word about the show. If you love it, we would love your support.

Our researcher is Jesse Epstein. Our editor is Jen Jacobs. We are produced by Abigail steckler and little Scorpion studios and Gillian Davis with executive producer frolic media. This is an iHeart Radio Podcast.

We wish you very happily ever I'm in love with love with you I'm in love with you