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For most of my life I was quite skeptical of love at first sight. I was never a fan of the device in novels. I don’t think I’ve written a book where the hero and heroine are struck with the love bug, although I have used love at first sight for secondary characters and back story. (For instance, the heroine’s parents saw each other and BAM, they knew.)
Certainly there have been times in my writing life where a character looks back and realizes that he or she knew from the first moment that something was different. Of course hindsight is, as they say, 20-20. In my most recent novel BEAUTY AND THE BOUNTY HUNTER, the hero does think, in retrospect:
There’d never been any question of leaving her behind. From the first instant he’d seen her, he’d yearned.
Standing in the rain, which traced like tears down her agonizingly pale face, the pain she had not yet learned to conceal stark in her brilliant green eyes. He’d wanted to make that pain go away, and he’d gone about it the only way he knew how.
I just returned from a trip to White Plains, New York (where I made it out a whisper before the hurricane) where I fell in love at first sight. Which made me think of the other times I “just knew.”
Here’s my husband (IV or Italian Viking as we call him here on the mount) and I on one of our first dates. How could I resist that Fu Man Chu?
Fast forward several years and I fell in love with this little person. (Yes, I look very thrilled. All I can say is “Frank Breach Birth-natural delivery, no drugs.” I AM a goddess)
My third incidence of love at first sight occurred nearly three years later. (See my adoring glance at IV? MUCH easier birth that time.)
Most recently my heart was lost for this. How could it now be? Look at that face. (According to my family, I have totally lost my mind over Reggie. There are worse things.)
And now–drumroll please. My newest incidence of love at first sight. I was walking to Starbucks, minding my own business when suddenly . . . “Pink boots!” They are now mine.
Do you believe in love at first sight? Have you ever fallen in love at first glance? Do you like books where love at first sight happens?
66 Comments on “Love at First Sight”
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I don’t know about love (as in L-O-V-E The Real Thing) at first sight, but I clearly remember the first time I laid eyes on my old sweetheart. I went like, Oh-my-God-I-know-this-guy! And then kept racking my brains furiously about where I had seen him before. I hadn’t, really. Unless I’d dreamed him
But this persistent sense of him not being a stranger, of us having known each other before… it was totally weird. Needless to say, we didn’t end up together. So it definitely wasn’t love at first sight. But a strange and memorable experience none the least.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:02 am.
You both may have known each other in a past life.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:06 am.
I had almost the same reaction when I met my dh, Susan! Very strange, but wonderful!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:48 am.
IC thought he’d met me before. Must be something to that.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 7:11 am.
Lori, you look beautiful in the photos of you and your babies. I do believe in love at first sight. I fell in love with my sweet kitty Acheron as soon as I saw him and a litter mate escape from the pen they were in on the day I adopted him. With New Guy it wasn’t love at first sight per se but it has developed to where I am totally happy with him. I have also fallen in love with the new addition to the family and she will be coming home in a month or so. Yes we have adopted a kitten from the litter born to Cookie, the queen across the road. This little queen is a calico with blotches of dark grey/black and splotches of red tabby on a white background. We haven’t worked out a name for her yet so any ideas would be a great help.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:03 am.
Aw Kelly thanks. I always look at those pics and cringe.
I love calicoes. That was my first cat.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 7:12 am.
I absolutely fell in love at first sight with my baby sister Maya. I mean, I wasn’t excited for a new sibling at 23. I thought I wasn’t going to like the kid, I was too old for that. Then, I laid eyes on her, and I was putty on her tiny little hands. She owns my heart. And that’s all.
And if we’re counting shoes (and purses), I’m the less faithful person ever. I fall in love at first time all the time! :/
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 4:18 am.
Lol,B. I know that must have feeling. That’s so sweet about your sister.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 7:13 am.
What gorgerous pictures of your you and your husband and kids! Obviously there were my kids, I loved them at first sight, but my husband was also, maybe not love, but certainly major interest at first sight. I knew I wanted to get to know him and, really, date him the minute I laid eyes on him. He is still compelling to me. Shoes? My mom actually bought me a pair when she was down a few months ago that I fell in love with but couldn’t afford. They’re gorgeous but they’re heels which make my feet hurt pretty quickly. Ah well, I’ll wear then when I don’t have to walk too much.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:29 am.
Your mom is a woman after my own heart. Yay Mom!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 7:15 am.
I fell madly in love with a runt of the litter of a Chow mix that everyone told me would not make it. I bottle fed her every two hours for the first two weeks of her life. I was there when she opened her eyes for the first time and looked right at me. I was there when she took her first wobbly step and nine years later she is still the love of my life. I also fell madly in love two years ago with a tough little Chihuaha that no one seemed to want who has turned into the love of my life. Lori, I absolutely and totally fell in love with Beauty and the Bounty Hunter and this happens so rarely because I am so choosy with what I read. I have a list of top five favorite authors and you are right up there with Nora Roberts and Barbara Samuel. I am so looking forward to reading the next book.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 7:32 am.
Thanks so much, Aida! I happy you liked it.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 9:46 am.
I’m about halfway through BATBH and thoroughly enjoying it. Have missed good westerns, contemp or historical. Love the three books you did for the Rock Creek Six Series.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 11:16 am.
The first time I saw DH I knew he was the one. We have been married nearly 32 years now and we both agree it was love at first sight. If it had not happened to me I don’t think I would believe in it!
Cat and Alexi are such good characters. I love the book.
So funny that most of us that visit Mt. Oly have a love of shoes and dogs. Happy Friday everyone!
GO PACK!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 8:22 am.
Another of my loves – the pack! Although maybe not at first sight.
So glad you loved Alexi and Cat.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 10:55 am.
Isn’t it amazing that the pets we get as we get older get more and more spoiled.
Prince Fluffypants gets walked twice a day, fretted over when his tummy is upset because I didn’t feed him organic treats but store bought ones, coddled when he’d rather be running around just being a cat. Yes, we fell in love at first site.
New Guy, he says it was first site, I think it was second site. First site I thought he was cute and funny, but it wasn’t love.
Now, is a different matter entirely.
So yes. I believe in love at first site, and I entirely understand about the boots.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 8:33 am.
Prince fluffy pants! I love that.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:50 pm.
Oh, I thought I was a puddle of mush when my kiddoes were born, but I well and truly FELL when my munchkin girl was born last year, and her fingers still have my heart.
Everyone always used to tell me that grandchildren bring out a different kind of love and it is so true! 
I’m not sure if I really believe in ‘love’ at first sight, but I definitely think that something triggers in our hearts and brains about certain people…just like I get a creepy vibe about people that usually turns out to be right.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 8:44 am.
Have to agree that there is also a creepy vibe. Been there, felt that.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:51 pm.
I do kinda believe in love at first sight, but I was raised with that legend. My parents met and fell in love at first sight.
My most recent fall was last weekend, in Ithaca (where I also left on the last plane out). It is a tiny silver kaleidoscope on a necklace…one of the most exquisite things I’ve ever seen.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 9:09 am.
You must blog about that necklace. I think I’m in love already.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:51 pm.
Well, I do and I don’t believe in love at first sight. I definitely think people can connect instantly, and I’ve seen people happily married (still) who met that way and did a whirlwind courtship. I just don’t roll that way myself. Even if it had smacked me upside the head instantly (and it would have had to smack pretty hard as I’m dense about that sort of thing) I would have fought it tooth and nail at first and claimed only friends, or just dating and figuring it out. Hubby and I took our time and got to know each other first and that worked very well for me.
My little man, well, I loved his little self the first time I saw the ultrasound with his heart beating away. He was smaller than a peanut at the time, but I was in love. I was an emotional wreck when he came 3 mos early, and thrilled out of my mind when he came home safe and healthy. Thanks be to God and the wonderful doctors and nurses. He’s almost 2 now and I still go to pieces thinking about it.
Pets, well I don’t visit the shelter because I’d come home with a new one about once a week and we can’t do any right now in our rental. That and I’m not sure I could handle the mess just yet, is hard enough with baby and hubby.
Clothes/shoes, rarely, but once in awhile you find that little something that makes you feel gorgeous. When that happens.. oh yeah I’m in love.
If the book is well written, I like love at first sight or any other sight just fine. Not picky, I just LOVE a well written book, like the ones you fine goddesses write.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 9:09 am.
3 months early! So glad all is well.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:52 pm.
I do, like you for my kids, and husband and the kitties and puppy. However I draw the line at pink Uggs :p Other shoes, yes (mostly oxford type), coats yes. But NOT Uggs.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 9:38 am.
The boots are as soft as kitties and puppies.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:53 pm.
I fell in love with my nieces at first sight. Which I found highly ironic as kids and I have a very respectable “distant” relationship from each other. However, these two…LOVE! They are the most funny, adorable, sweet and hugely talented short people, I’ve ever met (did I mention they are now 2 and 6 months old)? I just know they are both child prodigies.
Not a huge fan of love at first sight in the romantic sense, but I can be entertained by about anything. Now, I have no problem falling in love at first sight with all sorts of material things (the Brother loves to point out that this gives me about as much “emotional depth” as a puddle)….shoes tend to be at the top of that particular list. L-O-V-E those boots, by the way!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 9:56 am.
Thank you Haley. I almost want snow just for the boots. Almost.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:54 pm.
It wasn’t love at first sight with my husband. It was for him, it took me awhile longer. We were high school sweethearts and had our come and go times. But by the time we were in our last year, I just knew I was going to marry him. 4 years later I did! All of my kiddies, I fell in love the moment I knew they were there.
Then there’s my poochies. How can I not look at them everyday and not fall in love? Especially when my super sweet one will go through her entire list of tricks I taught her in a row just for a little treat without being asked. It’s so cute it should be illegal!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 10:39 am.
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one head over heels over a pooch.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 10:57 am.
Then there was my Miniature Schnauzer, Spritzy. A dream of a dog. Miss her so.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 11:11 am.
Have fallen in love, or connected, at first sight, before. First, with my late husband. But definitely in love with DDs and the gdaughter. When they placed the girls in my arms for the first time, my emotions overwhelmed me. They were five years apart, but the feelings were the same. Our wish was to have girls and we were rewarded with two. Holding Leia as an infant was a joy beyond my wildest dreams.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 11:10 am.
Leia is such a beautiful name.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm.
Yes I believe in love at first sight. I came home from my 1st day at kindergarden and told my mom that I was going to marry this boy I had met there. Fast forward to age 15 and in 9th grade, he asked me to ‘go steady’ and we dated all through high school. We just celebrated our 31st year of marriage in August. So, yes, it happens!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 11:32 am.
Oh how cool!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:58 pm.
What a lovely life you’ve had, Lori.
I want those boots.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 11:49 am.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm.
Yes. Definitely love at first site with my children. Not so with my husband, it came more slowly for me Not for him. He decided that he was going to marry me immediately.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:07 pm.
Awwww! Adorable.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:55 pm.
I most definitely fell in love-at-first-sight when my sons were born. Otherwise, I’ve not had many experiences with it. I met my husband in highschool, so I could hardly claim to have been in love upon first seeing him. He was the skinny band guy and I had a crush on one of his friends. We became friends, and that’s when my tendre for him grew. So definitely not love at first sight.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:26 pm.
Oh, and yes. I definitely fell in love at first sight with my dog. When I saw the pictures the breeder sent me, I was head over heels.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:28 pm.
Gotta love those skinny band guys.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:56 pm.
I’ve fallen in instant love with many a pair of shoes.
As for falling in love with a guy instantly…I believe in it. It didn’t exactly work that way with my dh, but I did feel this instant…recognition of him. An oh-there-you-are sort of feeling. But I was a freshman in college and dating someone else at the time so we were friends for another year (during that time he started dating someone else too). Then when we were both free, although I had said it was going to be my year not to get involved with any guy, we went to the movies as friends and came out holding hands. I couldn’t let him get away!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 12:42 pm.
Definitely relate to that there you are feeling.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:57 pm.
Yes, yes I do. It may sound very corny but I saw my future husband across the room at a grad mixer. I knew right then that he was the one. I was older by nine years and was working on my doctorate in History and he was working on his masters in Geology. The first and only man I have ever been with and we have been married for 24 years now.
My second instance of falling in love at first site – my horse. He is pictured with me here.
Third, my daughter and then my son who followed. I have been lucky that each and every first site love has turned out well. <3
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:05 pm.
Congrats Debbie. That is a great story.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:58 pm.
At first glance I fell in love with your pink boots, Lori. Now it’s a love triangle. *g*
I do like love at first sight stories, but more in the sense you described, the “something is special about this person” meet rather than the “wedding bells are ringing” meet.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:10 pm.
If I saw you any other time but summer I’d let you share. But I think my boots will be left home in July.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:59 pm.
I do believe in love at first sight. The person I loved for many years (and it wasn’t until later he realized he loved me back when it was too late) was a love at first sight situation. It can be fulfilling as well as full of regrets if initially unrequited.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:35 pm.
Sounds like an emotional story there.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm.
I am glad to hear I am not alone in my pink boot adoration.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 1:38 pm.
I remember the first time I saw my oldest son’s father, if it wasn’t love it was certainly lust. He had prematurely silver hair and matching eyes.Until I met him I had never seen silver eyes, my son’s eyes turn from blue to silver when he is very tired or sick.
First time I saw both of my sons I fell so deeply in love I still haven’t come up for air. The same fall happened with my g-girls.
The sight of my big scrappy sons who argue shades of blue holding my oldest son’s first baby in the hospital while they sang that heart warming lullaby “The Drunken Scotsman” was a major love moment as well.
Ophelia, the iron dragon a top the tower at my storage place. Close second is Saphira in the back unit’s courtyard.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:05 pm.
Great images,evlqn.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm.
When I met my husband it was more like, “wow this person is really special” but love wasn’t far behind.
With my baby girls it was love at first sight.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 2:40 pm.
Baby girls. I need me some of those.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:01 pm.
I’ve fallen in love with many shoes at first sight. I haven’t stayed in love with many of them, though.
I fell in love with my children at first sight. I have to remind myself of that all the time now, especially since ds is ALL about teasing dd, who can’t take much. They’re driving me crazy. I liked it when ds was so sweet with dd. And then, he started middle school this year.
I’ve fallen in love with some of my neices and nephews on first sight. The other ones aren’t so lucky and a few I can barely tolerate (but I blame their parents for that).
With my dh it wasn’t first or second sight. But at some point I do remember feeling a connection to him that I hadn’t felt with anyone else before about a month after he started hanging out with our group in college.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 3:02 pm.
That connection is so special.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:01 pm.
I may not have fallen in love with dh at first sight, but I knew it was different and I knew he was a keeper. I do fall in love at first sight with my pets—it is how they become my pets to begin with.
Love the boots. What fun!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 3:08 pm.
I am really enjoying them. Thanks!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:02 pm.
First sight love happened with our dog Tanner, he was outside Fred Meyer with his owner and litter mates when we were going in. The g-sons saw him and immediately reminded us we had promised them a puppy, the sign said “free to good home”; we had a good home so we asked them to save him for us while we purchased puppy things. We come out and start to take our new family member when the lady asked how we wanted to handle the payment. Payment?? Closer look at sign :”FEE to good home.” Sixty dollars later we had the best dog we have ever owned in our lives and we still miss him after four years
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 7:50 pm.
While not love at first sight, I have instantly fallen in like with friends. You know the ones that you meet and within 5 minutes you feel like you have been besties your whole lives?
I may have fallen in love at first sight with my critters. While I like most animals, I don’t fall in looooove with them all.
My grandmother swore that she fell in love with my grandfather at first sight. They were together over 70 years, so I think it worked for them.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 3:33 pm.
I just met someone today that I feel that instant friend like for!
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:03 pm.
I blame Lori for the fact that I am now the owner of some Ugg booties. Not the pink ones, but that’s what I went in search of, and then I saw some, and the little thing popped up that told me I had some “points” and voila, 50% off later, I have some Ugg boots.
Thanks a lot, Lori. I live in TExas. The need for sheep-skin lined boots happens about two days out of the year
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 3:39 pm.
Bwa-haa-haa!! My work here is done.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 5:48 pm.
I believe in Love at First Sight. I married mine and we’ll have been together 20 years in January. It was love at first hearing for my kids. The first time I heard their heartbeats I would do anything for them. I don’t need them, but I think I need those boots.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 3:52 pm.
You definitely need the boots.
Posted on November 2, 2012 at 6:03 pm.
1. Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes
2. Have you ever fallen in love at first glance? Yes, but didn’t realize at the time that was what it was.
3. Do you like books where love at first sight happens? Yes
Posted on November 3, 2012 at 11:56 am.