So Happy to be Here: Our Love Story: Q & A

I saw this little quiz on Blue Eyed Bride's page from Mrs to Mama and thought it looked like fun!

1. How long have you and your significant other been together?
Brad and I technically started dating July 14, 2006. He doesn’t recall the exact date… but of course I do. We had been spending a lot of time together and I left for a trip to Napa with my
family. While I was gone I didn’t have a lot of cell phone service, and it drove him crazy not being able to talk to me. (he would beg to differ, but the numerous sweet messages I received while away would say otherwise) When I got home from my trip I went as his date to his friend’s wedding and that pretty much sealed the deal.

2. How did you meet? {What’s your “love” story?}
We officially met at church, but we have crossed paths many times over the years. I started re-attending the church that I grew up in and Brad randomly overslept for his church’s service one day. He decided to go to church with one of our mutual friends. He loved me instantly. HAHA kidding!

3. If married, how long have you been married?
Married 3 years!

4. If you are married, where did you get married? Big or small wedding?
We got married in a large ceremony in his aunt and uncles gorgeous garden. It was the perfect fall day for a wedding!

5. Do you have any nick-names that you call one another? Do share!
I call him Bradford, its his middle name. I guess technically “Brad” is a nick-name. He calls me Candy.

6. Name 3 things you love most about your honey.
- His love and loyalty to his family, it has been amazing to see him transform as a dad. He is so great with Keating and is really excited to be having another little man on the way. I don’t think he realizes how much Keating looks up to him.
-He always sees the good in people. I tend to be a bit pessimistic and at times judgmental (who me?!) I think he helps balance this out in me.
-He is simple. I know this soundsnegative but it really isn’t. He is a meat and potatoes kind of guy and doesn’t need anything fancy to make him happy. He takes joy in the small things, which I believe is one of the keys to happiness.

7. Tell us how he proposed?
We went to Jekyll Island for his best friend Michelle’s wedding. Michelle had been his go-to lady for help with picking a ring and wanted him to pop the question while we were all in Jekyll Island. Very kind of her giving up a little of her spotlight! Towards the end of the reception, Brad suggested that we go for a walk. We walked down to the waterway, and me, being totally
clueless had no clue why the wedding photographer was waiting for us. Brad said that he wanted to get a few photos of us, being a photography lover; I thought it was a great idea! Next thing I know, he is on one knee proposing. It was great that we have photos of such a special moment!

8. Is he a flowers and teddy
bear kind of guy for v-day, or strawberries, champagne, and rose petals? He’s more of a lets go out to dinner kind of guy. Neither of us really gets in to the commercial part of Valentine’s day, but we do enjoy a nice dinner out.

9. Are you a sunset dinner on the beach kind of girl, or pop a movie in and relax on the couch?
As lovely as a sunset on the beach sounds, that is not realistic in the slightest at our current stage of life. Most nights we watch a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory on the couch and then pass out. The last movie we watched together was The Lion King and had a blast. Oh how children change your life!

10. Tell us one thing you’d like to do with your significant other one day. If you could do anything? Go anywhere?
I would love to go to Italy together. For some reason he has no interest in leaving the country except to go to Ireland or Australia, but I REALLY want to go back to Italy. I’m thinking one day after our kids are older and he wants to make me a VERY happy girl, he will give in and go. *hint hint*

11. Tell us what you plan on doing on this Valentine’s Day.
We haven’t even discussed it. Keating’s birthday is on February 13 so this usually surpasses our Valentines plans.

12. Are you asking for anything this Valentine’s day?
Nope! But I do love chocolate, not that I need any!

13. Give us one piece of advice of keeping a relationship strong and full of love.
Being honest, realistic, and just being each other’s friend. I think going in to marriage, a lot of people have a preconceived notion that it’s going to be wine and roses every night, and that isn’t real life. Life isn’t always romantic. Marriage is being forgiving, loving each other’s faults and bringing out the best in each other. It’s family trips to Home Depot, making pancakes on
Saturday mornings, and managing a few quiet minutes together every day. I know this is just the season of life we are currently in, but I am soaking it up. Brad is my best friend, and every day I wake up knowing I have him as a partner, is a great day!