By Erin, Isaac’s mama and Michael’s wife
I know that I promised no more memes, but I have a REALLY good excuse. NO, really! I realized that I have written very little about my husband. I thought you might to learn more about him. I really do have an amazing husband. We have been through some rough times lately, but we have a wonderful marriage. I want to honor him by talking a little more about him . . .
What are your middle names?
Mine is Cordelia . . . yes, Cordelia. His is Andrew.
How long have you been together?
We met in the fall of 1999. We got married in October 2001 – together 8 ½ years, married for 7.
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
We met as friends and started dating a couple of months later. Here is the crazy thing – we are each-others cousin’s cousin. So, that means that we have mutual cousins that are the same, but we are not related. No, REALLY – we are NOT related – I promise . . . . REALLY.
Who asked whom out?
Hmmm… Big point of contention. He says that I came onto him, I say HE came onto ME – I guess we will never know the truth (I know the truth 😉)
How old are each of you?
I’m 34, he’s 38, and will turn 39 in May – yikes!.
Whose siblings do you see the most?
My sister married one of Michael’s best friends. We all lived together in Denver for several years, and we are super close to each other. We don’t see them as much as we would like, but we talk to them all of the time. We do video calls on Skype at least once a month. Michael’s sisters both live in New York, and although we love to see them and our nieces and nephews, we don’t get to see them as much as we would like.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
We have been through a lot of hard times in our marriage. I had cervical cancer in 2002, we went through 3 years of infertility and treatment, we went through a high-risk pregnancy, 5 weeks of bed rest and 3 ½ months of Isaac being in the hospital. We have gone through some incredibly difficult situations with both sets of our parents, including major illnesses and serious relationship problems. Now, we are waiting on our adoption, trying to heal things with both sets of parents, and Michael is changing careers again – we’ve been through a lot (not to mention a move across the country and all of the “normal” stresses that a marriage goes through).
Honestly, throughout all of that, we struggle the most with just normal communication and getting everything done in our lives. Our biggest arguments come from house-keeping and showing appreciation to each other for the things we both do to make our lives run smoothly.
The only other thing that has put serious strain on our relationship is figuring out how to deal with the problems with our parents, and how not to take those things out on each other (mostly me not taking out our problems with his family out on him). We have gone to marriage counseling to deal with our difficult family issues for the past year, and it has done wonders for helping us create a stronger relationship with each other in order to deal with the outside conflicts. Financial problems cause us a lot of stress, but we are lucky not to fight much about them.
Did you go to the same school?
Nope – I finished my BA and MA from the University of Arkansas. Michael went to the University of Arizona (NOT the real U of A) for a couple of years before finishing his degree in Culinary Arts in Dallas.
Are you from the same home town?
No. I grew up in several places, but from 5th grade on, I lived in Ozark, AR. Michael grew up in Dallas.
Who is smarter?
I have more education, and take my education seriously. I am stickler for grammar and correct language usage. I would say that Michael is smarter than me in most practical things – anything spatial, problem solving, arithmetic, etc. I am a much better verbal communicator. We are both very good at dealing with people, but Michael can charm the socks off just about anyone! Also, Michael has far more natural ability and talent than I do – building, fixing, cooking, drawing, musical, etc.
Who is the most sensitive?
Umm – I think you would have to work really hard to be more sensitive than me . . .
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Osegueras – we eat there at least once a week.
Where is the farthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
We have not travelled much together at all – we went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon.
Who has the craziest exes?
Neither one of us has really crazy exes, thank God. Michael has MANY more exes than me, but I was in a six-year relationship before I met Michael, so we both had our “others” in the past. Our exes have never been a problem or an issue in our relationship at all.
Who has the worst temper?
Well, I have a temper. I came from a house of yellers, and I can lose my temper much more easily than I would like. I lose my temper, but get over it pretty quickly. Michael is very easy going . . . usually. He comes from a house of SCREAMERS. So, Michael does not lose his temper often, and it takes a lot to make him mad, but once he GETS mad – OH-MY-GOSH!
Who does the cooking?
Michael went to culinary school. Guess.
Who is the neat-freak?
Me – one of the only things we fight about are his messes.
Who is more stubborn?
Michael is very stubborn. NO matter WHAT he says.
Who hogs the bed?
It turns out that it’s me. BUT – Michael snores like crazy and does this strange leg twitchy thing, so it all evens out.
Who wakes up earlier?
I’m a sleep glutton – all sleep, all the time. Michael loves to stay up late, can’t sleep late very often, and actually THRIVES on sleep deprivation – freak.
Where was your first date?
Our first REAL date was at a sushi joint in Denver. Michael fell for me when I happily ate fried shrimp heads – yum!
Who is more jealous?
Neither one is a jealous type, but if I HAD to pick one, it would be me – jealous over his time and attention, not over other people.
How long did it take to get serious?
We were serious very quickly. Although, he called me his “girlfriend” very early on, and I kind of freaked out.
Who eats more?
Unfortunately, we can both put it away.
Who does the laundry?
Me – although Michael does help fold.
Who’s better with the computer?
We each have our skills. I am much better with word processing, typing, and anything that takes quickness. Michael is better with installing new software, hardware and figuring out problems.
Who drives when you are together?
Michael almost always drives, b/c I would rather ride. Even though he tailgates and cuts corners when it’s not necessary. %$#@Texas Driver!
That is funny…Tim swears I came on to him too. NOT TRUE!! At least we know that truth!