All about "Us"

Olivia Wagner Photography

So fun! I have been tagged by Monkey's Mama at Monkeys on the Bed (she's the supermama crafter, cook, photographer, inspirational sister in Christ and fellow KKG sister from my college days...stop on by her site! ). This exercise is a little get to know you, or a get to know "us!" The "us" being my favorite Irishman and husband extraordinaire, D!

Do you remember when you and your love went from being "him and I" to "we" or "us"? What a magical time! These questions remind me of all the wonderful reasons why I love being an "us" with my favorite man!


What are your middle names?
Mine is Marie. His is Cadman, which means "warrior" in Gaelic.

How long have you been together?
Our first date was to his fraternity informal in November of 1999. We started dating December 15, 1999. And broke up once for a week or so...or I tried to break up with him. He fails to recognize that breakup (I apparently was not hot at break ups), so we say we've been together almost TEN (!) years this December.


How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We had classes together (both History majors). But he was wild and fun. I was studious and a copious note taker, so we weren't in each other's field of vision. We hung out a few times before our fraternity informal date, but he was basically a stranger to me. Kind of funny  when I think back on it!

Who asked who out?
He asked me. After he and his roommate drafted a list of "potential dates" for this informal. So I guess his roommate also asked. Thanks CB!

Who made the first move?
I think it's a tie. Just thinking about it makes me giggle.

my extroverted man and his homecoming crown. we were crazy in love!

How old are each of you?
We are both 30. I'm two months older, which he never lets me forget. Calls me a cougar for the 2 months that I'm actually a "year" older. 

Did you go to the same school?
Yes. Met in college.

Are you from the same home town?
Nope. I'm from "fly over country" and he's from San Diego. We're both Minnesotans now, though.

Who is the smartest?Him by a mile.

look at all my honor cords and summa cum laude-ness. too bad he's waaaay smarter!

Who majored in what?'m a double major in History and Elementary Ed with a minor in Spanish. He's a double major in History and Poli Sci.


Who is the most sensitive?Definitely me. Worst when I'm pregnant.

Where do you eat out most as a couple? These days it's wherever is most kid friendly...you know, Red Robin, Buffalo Wild Wings. But as a couple? Probably Smalley's Pirate Bar or the little Irish Pub in town.


Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

Kauai on our honeymoon.

Who has the worst temper?
Probably me, but neither of us is really crazy in the temper. He has a gift of being so tolerant of my shortcomings, though. Much better than I.

How many children do you want? Exactly the number we have: 3. But some days when I see my pals' preggo bellies, I do want more. And then I remember that I vomit for the entire pregnancy to the point of hospitalization, and I come to my senses. 

Who does the cooking? Me, definitely. He makes a mean grilled cheese and wicked good pancakes, though.

Who is more social? 
Definitely him. I'm an introvert.


Who is the neat-freak? Neither of us. We both like neat and clean, but not to the point of freakishness.


Who is the most stubborn?
We could debate about this for years. So, I guess both of us are stubborn.

look! it's little man and littlest man (in utero) with the cutest daddy ever. 

good thing the stretch marks don't show up on this low res photo....!

 

Who wakes up earlier? Naturally, or as a result of 3 monkeys that are "so hungry" or "want to go outside"? He is a champ about getting up with the kids in the AM many days, but I'm a more naturally early riser. I can converse and make plans, he is mostly catatonic until after a shower and a latte.

Where was your first date?
His fraternity informal in Windsor, Canada...some Irish Pub, followed by dancing. Our first "real" date was to (!) Olive Garden in Jackson, MI. Classy, I know. Nothing says "forever" like all you can eat salad and breadsticks!

Who has the bigger family?
Me for sure. I have one brother, but a humongo extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles, etc. on both sides. He's an only child with very few cousins or aunts/uncles. My family likes him almost more than me, though, so it works out for him!

Olivia Wagner Photography

Do you get flowers often?
Not a ton, but certainly many times a year. I'm not a huge flower person, but he loves getting me long stemmed red roses. My favorite flower gifting was when he had two dozen roses for me when I had Little Miss Pink, but one gorgeous pinkish red rose for her. Her first rose! From Her Daddy! Melt!

Who is more jealous?
I agree, this is an odd question. I guess probably me...I sometimes wish I could wine and dine and use all of my brain cells more often, but would never be able to do it like he does. Neither of us is really a "jealous" spouse, though. We trust each other implicitly.

How long did it take to get serious?
Not too long. We were first just dating casually out of convenience (great date to sorority events, similar major, common friends), but then he broke his jaw (softball to the face! ouch!) and I played Florence Nightingale to his injured soldier, and the rest is, as they say, history. We went on hours-long drives around southern MI and IN, talked about everything under the sun, and fell in love. We spent that summer apart---he in Washington DC and me in Spain, and got engaged shortly after that. Married the following summer. Crazy!

all of these photos that look too beautiful to be real are shot by the amazing olivia wagner .

Who eats more?
Him.

What do you do for a living?

He is the president of a non-profit , I am a mom of three who does a bit of grant writing, editing on the side. And avoids laundry full-time.

Who does the laundry? Funny! I didn't even see that this was the next question. I do the laundry. But I'm horrible at it, or at putting it away promptly. He pretends he doesn't know how to use the washing machine. I wish I could feign amnesia with it! Laundry sometimes makes me cry. I'm just throwing it out there.

Who’s better with the computer? For sure him.

we like to laugh. i'm funnier, though. don't tell him. also, please ignore my double chin.

Olivia Wagner Photography

Who drives when you are together?
Always him. We drove from MN to the Black Hills this summer, then home and straight to Milwaukee and back. He drove every.single.mile. Loves to drive. I love to ride, so we're a match made in heaven!


What is your song?
"Crazy Love" by Van Morrison. See previous post for details. 


Thanks for the tag, Monkey's Mama! This was so fun. A good refresher in "Why I Heart my Hubby 101." So, to encourage more fun for all: I'm going to go ahead and tag a few mamas I know. Tag, you're it (if you have time and energy!) to Mandy , Maria , Megan, and Michon!