I was sitting on the couch at my friend Patty Newbold’s house when I got the news I was selected to speak at TED Global 2009. She smiled for the entire time I sat there screaming, “I’m talking at TED! I’m talking at TED!” Then when the fear, shock and horror at having to actually TALK in front of a crowd set in, she was also there.

She was supportive, calm and my rock in a time I was feeling so uncertain. When I wrote my first speech she read it and said, “You can do better. Rewrite it.” And I did. And with each version I handed her, she said, “You can do better.” But she talked me through the whys and hows. She came home one day with a book on telling stories (that is my bible today). She cared.

Patty’s not an animal lover, but she invited my rottweiler (who is afraid of everyone but took IMMEDIATELY to Patty with nary a whimper) into her home. I can’t think of anyone I count as a better person or friend, and business woman than Patty Newbold is to those who know her. HER story is amazing too, and you can read it at her blog: http://assumelove.com. It took her husband dying for her to find her way and to find what true love means. And she shares that every day in real, applicable ways. Most people run from the demands and strains of marriage and its hardships, Patty runs towards them with arms wide open, solutions in hand. She is nothing short of amazing.

Her tagline, “How to have a happier marriage without waiting for your spouse to change.” is so true!

Now the time has come to vote for her again for Marriage Blog of the Year. She was one of the top 10 blogs last year and I think she should be the NUMBER ONE BLOG this year. I’m asking you to help me help my friend—the woman who has steadfastly been there for me for three years and hopefully will always be….to get something she wants as well. Please vote for her blog. If you loved my TED Global talk, thank Patty Newbold. She pushed me to be my best just as she encourages others to be their best. Vote for her blog. It takes less than a minute:

Here is a shortcut link to the voting site:

http://bit.ly/w4KxLp

To vote for Assume Love:

• Scroll down to the bottom of the post
• Find Assume Love in the drop-down list.
• Add your email address.
• Hit Send.

Her two sites, AssumeLove.com and EnjoyBeingMarried.com are saving relationships and marriages and she’s doing great stuff. Help her continue to do more. She helps me be there for all the folks that help me, I’m asking that you help her continue to help others do the same!

Thank you!!

UPDATE ON RESULTS:

Patty’s blog was voted 4th out of 48! She’s up from 10th position last year thanks to you guys and her other readers!

Patty is mentioned here, in the Top Ten Marriage Blogs of 2011 competition, http://bit.ly/thQAgQ

She writes:

“Thanks to you, Assume Love remains on the list, one of only four to do so. We even moved up from #10 to #4, despite a field of 48 nominees this year. Your votes did this, and it makes it so much easier to reach more people who want to Enjoy Being Married. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! Patty Newbold.”

Thank YOU for responding and voting. She is doing amazing work and it shows!