“My Life with Dea: An Unexpected Love Story” by Patrick Wade is now available for purchase

“My Life with Dea: An Unexpected Love Story” by Patrick Wade tells the heartfelt, true story of a man whose life takes an unexpected turn after a painful divorce that only to lead him to the love of his life— Dea, first as a friend and castmate, then eventually as the woman who changes everything. Proudly published by Citi of Books, this is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major retail platforms. 

Patrick Wade was born and raised in Michigan until his family moved out west in 1968 where he attended New Mexico Tech college. He later dropped out of college to join the US Air Force during the Vietnam war in 1971. While in the air force, he managed to get a BS degree in electronic engineering and technology with an AS in computer science. After nine and a half years with the air force, he was honorably discharged in 1980 and went immediately to work for a company in St. Louis and later met his wife.

He managed to get his MS degree in management and began to do a lot of traveling together with his wife. His wife was his inspiration, and he started writing poetry to which several of them got published. It was his wife who inspired him to go beyond poetry to writing a book. Patrick retired in 2014, and with a lot of time off, he was once again inspired by his wife to begin the journey of writing a book about the life they had.

If you’ve ever wondered whether life gives second chances at love, “My Life with Dea: An Unexpected Love Story” is the book that answers with a resounding yes. Patrick Wade invites you straight into the heart of his journey—starting from the chaos of a collapsing marriage to the quiet hope that sprouts in the most ordinary of places: a small community theatre in Warner Robins, Georgia. It’s friendly, honest, and instantly relatable for anyone who’s been knocked down by life and didn’t expect to get back up so beautifully.

What makes this memoir so special is how real it feels. Patrick wasn’t looking for romance; he was just trying to rebuild his life after heartbreak and a stressful job transition. But fate has a funny way of showing up right when you’re not expecting it. In walks Dea—first as the theatre’s makeup artist and later as the woman who becomes the center of his world. Their connection grows naturally through shared laughter, stage lights, and late-night rehearsals. For readers who love true love stories, blended families, small-town charm, and slow-burn romance, this book feels like the perfect cozy companion.

One beautiful thread running through this story is its message about timing. Patrick and Dea don’t fall together in a rush—they build a bond through trust, vulnerability, setbacks, and everyday moments. Their wedding, their move back to St. Louis, and eventually their big overseas adventure in Germany make this book ideal for readers who appreciate memoirs about personal growth, family, and the unpredictable ways life unfolds. The target audience? Anyone who’s ever questioned whether love can find you after loss, anyone who enjoys heartfelt true stories, and anyone who simply wants a gentle reminder that joy can return when you least expect it.

And beyond the romance, there’s a real-life moral that sticks with you: life doesn’t always go the way you planned, but it often goes exactly where you need to be. Patrick shows us that broken chapters don’t mean the story is over—they’re just clearing space for something better. His journey with Dea is proof that sometimes love appears in community theatre wings, in cross-country moves, in shared dreams, and even in moments of grief. If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm conversation with a friend—full of heart, humor, and hope—this is the one you’ll want to pick up and keep close.