Drum roll please…The winner of the “Your Love Story” contest is none other than story number five, “The Crooked Christmas Tree”! Congratulations to Stephanie B. (blucanary), whose tale of tinsel, teasing, and true love won the most votes from PBS members and earned her the prize of ten PBS credits. Here’s the winning story for anyone who missed it (or just wants to read it again):
The Crooked Christmas Tree
It wasn’t a Valentine that brought us together, but an office Christmas tree.
No one in the office would ever admit it, but I know it had to be some kind of hazing stunt to make the new kid set up the Christmas tree. I spent hours untangling lights from branches (it had apparently hung itself the previous holiday season) and trying to get that sad excuse for festivity to stand up straight.
I embraced my inner McGyver under that tree, attempting to make a better tree stand out of duct tape, wire, and my now shredded and discarded pantyhose. At least it wasn’t going to tip over. Probably. Shimmying out from under the tree, I stood back to get a better look at my work.
“It’s still leaning,” said the dry voice from behind me.
I had seen him before, but I was the new kid. I had seen lots of people before. I couldn’t remember his name and at the moment didn’t care. Unfortunately, he was also right. It was leaning.
Back under the tree. Tighten, pull, unladylike grunting, and let’s try again.
“It’s still leaning.”
Who was this guy and could I kill him with left over tinsel?
Under the tree. Tug. Pull. Twist. Crawl. Evaluate.
“I think it’s leaning the other way now,” he said.
That was it. I walked behind him, grabbed him by the shoulders and tipped him in the same direction as the offending tree, “How’s that?! Now it’s straight!”
I stomped back to my cube and slammed some drawers around.
Surprisingly enough, the next morning, the nameless guy walked back to my cube and asked me out to lunch. We’ve been bickering and tormenting each other every day since for the past fifteen years. We couldn’t be happier.
Thanks again to everyone who voted and everyone who posted. It was a joy to read your stories and get to know a little more about each of you who entered the contest. We hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day, and we wish you all many more happy love stories to tell!
Thank you to everyone who voted!
Cute story. Is it true?
That was such a sweet and great story. Very well done and congratulations.
What happened with the tree?????????
Thanks for sharing a piece of your life. That was fun to read : )
Congratulations to big winner Stephanie! I’ve been so busy lately that I just now saw that our love story was one of the top 5 chosen. WOW! My husband and I are still smiling about the fact you liked our love story so much.
Mrs. Librarian story #1