My Interview with Ann Romney

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       Look for Ann Romney on the cover of the November/December issue of LDS Living.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Ann Romney for the upcoming issue of LDS Living. I admit I was curious how she would be in real life—if she is as impressive and poised as she appears to be on television. I’m here to tell you that she absolutely is.

It was fascinating to talk with Ann about the very public life she and Mitt have shared, especially their experience with the 2012 presidential election. But it was even more fascinating to learn about family life in the Romney household. Ann was extremely candid as she talked about the challenges of raising five rambunctious boys, how she copes with her multiple sclerosis, how she and Mitt keep their marriage strong, and how they now enjoy life as grandparents to 23 grandchildren. In addition to living the gospel, Ann says one of the keys to keeping her family close-knit is by sharing traditions—especially those that stem from the kitchen.

“Traditions, especially those that involve cooking, can spark conversations about family history and create new memories,” she told me. “They are the glue that binds a family together.”

It is this belief that inspired Ann to share her family's traditions and most beloved recipes in her new book, The Romney Family Table. Filled with personal reflections from Ann, this is much more than a cookbook—it is a glimpse into a strong, loving family that inspired me to be more deliberate with my own family's traditions. (But make no mistake, the recipes are fantastic. I recently made her Parmesan Chicken for my boys, and they practically inhaled it! Try recipes from the book here.)

I am grateful to Ann for her willingness to speak with me and for reminding me how important family traditions and good food can be. I hope our readers will enjoy and appreciate her insights as much as I did.

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Be sure to check out Ann's new book, The Romney Family Table, filled with traditions, recipes, and dozens of family photos, now available at Deseret Book.

In addition to being a way to bring her large family together, this book represents another opportunity: to help fund a cause that is dear to the Romneys. Having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, Ann is donating her proceeds from book sales to the Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston to assist the great work they do with treatments and cures for neurological diseases.

If you're in the Salt Lake City area this weekend, don't miss Ann's book signing on Friday, October 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Deseret Book Flagship Store, 45 W. South Temple.

Ann will also be speaking at the Time Out for Women event in Salt Lake City on Friday, November 22. 

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