by Jody Hedlund
Does the idea of a matchmaker sound familiar? Are you now humming “Matchmaker” from Fiddler on the Roof?
I remember watching that movie as a child. At the time I thought it was odd that a family turned to a matchmaker to form marriages for their daughters. Why couldn’t the daughters fall in love and make their own matches? It was fascinating, to say the least, to imagine getting married to a person chosen for you, a person you might not know well, a person you might not even like.
Arranged marriages? Marriages formed by matchmakers? Who did that? Is it just the stuff of stories or were matches really made?
Those were the kinds of questions that birthed my series A Shanahan Match. During my research into matchmakers, I discovered that certain cultures like the Jews in Fiddler on the Roof really did have a tradition of having a matchmaker.
My research also showed me that the Irish have a robust tradition of matchmaking. In fact, if you were to travel to Ireland today, you could visit Lisdoonvarna which has a yearly match-making festival that claims to be 165 years old. People can still meet with the local matchmaker in his “office” in the Matchmaker Bar.
Interestingly enough, Irish matchmakers were usually men. The matchmaker traditions, along with a big leather book filled with matches, were passed down from father to son.
The matchmaker would be involved in what was known as plucking the gander, the process of negotiating what the prospective bride and groom would bring to the marriage. Once the details were worked out, they would eat the gander, which was an old way of saying the bride’s family would provide a meal to celebrate the match.
As the Irish began to immigrate to the United States, they brought the Irish matchmaker tradition with them.
My latest novel, Saved by the Matchmaker, is a historical romance set in 1849 St. Louis that showcases the Shanahan family and their adventures with an Irish matchmaker.
In the series, the local Irish matchmaker owns a popular pub with his corner-table office and the big leather book with records of all his matches. He’s in the process of beginning to transfer the matchmaking duties to his son, a young and handsome man, who has some non-traditional and often wily methods for making the perfect match.
I invite you to join the matchmaker as he uses his unconventional ways to bring love to the Shanahan family. Just maybe, he’ll find his own true love along the way!
About the Author
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of more than fifty novels and is the winner of numerous awards. Jody lives in Michigan with her husband, busy family, and five spoiled cats. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle. Visit her at JodyHedlund.com.
About the Book
After her annulment is finalized, Enya Shanahan finds herself caught in a web of scandal and obligation while carrying a secret that threatens to shatter her family's reputation. Determined to find a suitable marriage for Enya, her father turns to a wily matchmaker to save them from their circumstances.
Did You Know?
The statistics for infidelity in Christian marriages are staggering. According to current numbers, approximately 30–60% of all married individuals in the United States will engage in infidelity at some point during their marriage. Christians are not immune.
How can you protect your marriage from infidelity?
Time – Spend time doing the things you enjoyed when you were dating. Sometimes the crush of responsibility from work, kids, and home life can overwhelm you. Try trading babysitting with a church friend or neighbor so you and your spouse can go on a date.
Pray – Praying with your spouse and sharing your spiritual needs is a sure way to avoid being tempted into an affair. Praying for your spouse will remind you daily that they are as in need of spiritual guidance as you are.
Attitude – If you continually think the proverbial ‘grass is greener,’ you’ll always be looking elsewhere to get your needs met. Instead, make a list of what initially attracted you to your spouse. Do this together as a way of reminding each other of why you fell in love.
Doing these three things is like taking vitamins—it’s preventative medicine for your marriage.
If you or your spouse has been tempted to have an affair, it is imperative to seek out a godly marriage counselor. You can find a number of qualified counselors online or by asking the pastor of your local church. Don’t become one of the statistics.
-Jane Daly, Broken Trust
Why I LOVE My Local Christian Bookstore
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-Lee Ann Mancini, Raising Kids to Follow Christ
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