Our Legacy of Love

"Our Legacy of Love" looks at what makes a happy marriage and inspires those seeking a lasting commitment. How does one stay married for half a century? For Peggy and Ken Koehler their marriage was a combination of unconditional love, humor, hardships, prayer and success. “We had no choice but to make it work.” The author said. “We couldn't afford to do otherwise. Failure was not an option.” Although Ken passed away prior to the writing of this memoir, Our Legacy of Love includes his own words through letters and newspaper articles he'd written. Their story is told with wit and style and offers a unique view of the highs and lows of their fifty year relationship – five children, interracial “at-risk” foster kids, resident in-laws, financial disasters, and numerous cross-country moves. The text is an honest and deeply-moving diary of a marriage that actually endured the teenage years, humorously described in one chapter as Lion’s Den experiences. Legacy features an amazing collection of real-life stories including their wedding day commitment to love each other forever and ever; a traveling salesman husband; those that came to dinner and never left, plus all the etceteras many of us cope with on a daily basis. All will benefit from reading the faith-inspired messages that kept this marriage and family God-centered when faced with heartache and loss. Ken’s favorite sentence whenever assailed with disappointments and setbacks: “Remember, Sweetheart, there’s a strawberry in every patch.” The key in any relationship is to never lose your sense of humor, at least at the same time. The author describes their family’s challenging exploits as “Red Sea” encounters – where the waters start to rise before you've made it to shore. “This book is a true work of heart and soul...a woman's loving tribute to the man she loved for over 50 years. Peggy invites you into her family's home and takes you back to a simpler time with humor and attention to detail. You will want to curl up in their living room and not leave," reviewer Julia of Oceanside, CA said describing the book. Richly-layered and poignant, Our Legacy of Love is filled with inspiration and is highly recommended whether you’re engaged, married, a single parent, or just yearning to jump-start a relationship.

ABOUT “OUR LEGACY OF LOVE:” Are you married; engaged; or in a long-term relationship? Have you experienced fantastic highs and stressful lows with your spouse or children? Many of us have encountered communication breakdowns. Over a fifty-year period, the Koehler’s experienced the gamut: financial hardships; career challenges; the teenage years; “at-risk” foster kids; resident in-laws; numerous cross-country moves and other unanticipated adventures. Peggy describes these challenges as Red Sea encounters – “Where the waters begin to rise before we’ve made it to shore.” Ken and Peggy share their survival secrets which include faith in God, prayer, and an abundance of love and laughter. Peggy says the key in any relationship is to never lose your sense of humor – at least at the same time. Our Legacy of Love introduces Peggy and Ken, two extra-ordinary people from diverse backgrounds, who fell in love; married and somehow managed to not only survive the Lion’s Den ordeals, better known as the teenage years, but become strengthened and more in love as a result. In this touching and often humorous memoir, they inspire all of us with their stories of devotion, tolerance, faith, and triumph. Most couples would have thrown in the towel years before, but as Peggy wrote, “We had no choice but to make our marriage work. We couldn’t afford to do otherwise. Failure was not an option.” Though written following Ken’s passing in 2004 – eleven weeks after celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary, Legacy includes Ken’s own words via the heartfelt love letters written to his beloved wife and the anecdotes he penned under his “Kenfetti” byline, a column published by a Southern California newspaper. Subsequent to Ken’s death, Peggy received hundreds of letters from those whose lives had been touched by this couple. This one from her daughter’s best friend sums up the Koehler’s' influence on those dear ones that crossed their path: “I wanted to write something special about Ken. But in my mind there is no Ken without his Peggy. Peggy and Ken, like Burns and Allen; Tracy and Hepburn, the names are synonymous. You can’t say or think of one without the other. Their essence was one of an unbreakable partnership, united forever. And in the eyes of this “other daughter,” their love story is as close to perfect as any you will find on this earth. Their home to me was a place of warmth, comfort, respect and acceptance. It was also one filled with love, great humor, tremendous faith, and a generous spirit that knew no bounds. I remember vividly how their presence in my life was truly an inspiration and haven in an often chaotic teenage world. Now, over 30 years later, I am still blessed with their daughter, Jill, as my closest friend and confidante, and the Koehler’s as my second family. I am so grateful to Peggy and Ken for embracing me as one of their own and for their loving influence in my life. I will cherish them both – always.” (Chris. C.)

Peggy Koehler devoted her life to her husband of fifty years, her family and her faith. Today, she shares her experiences in this memoir. Although Ken Koehler passed away in 2004, he contributed to this family’s inspiring story through a weekly newspaper column he wrote, “Kenfetti,” and in the numerous love letters he penned to his beloved wife.