Instead of writing a traditional narrative about our time as a couple, we decided to ask each other questions, interview-style, about our relationship. Here is what each of us had to say....
Joel's Answers
L : How did we meet?
J : I met Linda through our mutual friend, Garrett. She accompanied us for lunch and became a regular at our table. L : How did you view me when we first met? J : Annoying. Infuriating. We had a political throw-down of sorts during that first lunch. After it was clear that Linda wasn’t budging, I angrily retreated back to my dorm. L : Why did you end up asking me on a first date? J : I became increasingly aware that you were just not going to leave our little group. Eventually, you grew on me over the next few weeks. You were someone that I wanted to get to know more. Charming, fun-loving, and adventurous. L : How were you feeling after you decided to propose to me? J : This is difficult. There was really no epiphany. No sudden decision. I had known that I would propose to you long before I actually did. There were different moments along the way that made the eventuality more and more real. One big moment was meeting with your parents to ask their permission. After, I don’t know, 45 seconds of small talk, we all knew what was going on. It was surreal to watch your parents faces as I explained my intent. Your mom was so very happy. I wish you could see it. I can still see her reaction. Your dad listened to me with the focus of an E.R. surgeon. He wanted to make absolutely sure that I loved you. L : How did you propose? J : I proposed in the evening of our 2 year anniversary. I said I had planned an anniversary photo-shoot, but I really planned a proposal photo-shoot. You have to make it special, right? L : What is the best thing about our relationship? J : Hmmm… I would probably have to say our companionship. We are undoubtedly best friends. The longest we’ve been apart has been a week? Maybe two? I think that was when you were off for Spring Break and then you had your Level 3 Teaching Field Experience back to back. That was a long two weeks that I don’t want to experience again! L : What is one thing about me that you don’t think many people know but would find interesting? J : That you’re the funny one. I think a lot of our friends and family see me as the funny one. I probably do crack more jokes, probably too many. Your humor is as unexpected as it is sharp. L : What’s your spirit animal? J : Squirrels. Hands down. Inquisitive. Clever. Adorable. Pesky. L : Do you love me? ;) J : Are you playing your love games with me? I just wanna know what to do ‘cause I need your love a lot! Come on now! Linda's Answers
J : How did you view me when we first met?
L : My first thought was, “huh… his eyes are kinda googly like Elijah Wood.” No lie. As we continued to sit at the same table for lunch, I didn't pay attention to you, but I started to think you were the typical trouble-maker type. You were snide, cynical, and a bit stuck-up -- all you needed was the leather jacket and toothpick. I viewed you, honestly, as a bit ridiculous. J : How have I changed since we first met? What is the same? L : Well, the first major change in our relationship was that you started to think I was okay, instead of wishing I would disappear from the lunch table forever. After that, you started to soften up a lot. I am pleased to say that you became a much more empathetic, kind person, instead of someone who assumed that you were always right about everything. You gave your life to Christ again, showed me real chivalry, and started to treat me like an equal. What is the same? You are still the snide, leather jacket, toothpick toting shiester, but in an endearing way. J : What is my best trait? L : Hmmm... a hard question. You have so many. If I had to pick one, I would say that you are a good listener and a very warm, affectionate person. Whatever is going on in my life, you always sit and listen to me, and you are always there to give me hugs. I never feel like you are pushing me away. If you are a gesture, you are arms wide open. J : What are you looking forward to most about married life? L: Definitely, without a doubt: adventuring with my best friend. We both want to see the world, try new things, and push past our comfort zones, and all of that is better when I get to do it with you. Being married to you means that we get to start a new life, define it however we like, and plan all of our traveling adventures as a pair. The only question is, where do you want to go first? J : What is one thing about me that many people don’t know but would find interesting? L : That you can be more girlish than me, and I mean that in the best possible way of course. You tried every coffee shop in Cedar Falls to find out which one made the best pumpkin spice latte. Whenever you see a squirrel, you make these cooing noises like it's the cutest thing you've ever seen. You often show off your milky, hand-model hands with much pride. And overall, you are a sensitive, calm man, where I tend to be more assertive. I love all this about you. J : What is your spirit animal? L : A bear, because I'm grumpy when woken from hibernation. |