Love and Marriage

In honor of Valentine's Day, here's a love Q&A. Thanks Michele and Paige for inspiring me!

Here's a recent shot of us from New Year's Eve

1. How long have you been married?Freddy and I celebrated our one year anniversary in October.

2. How long have you been together?We've been together for 8 years.

3. Where did you go on your first date?We went to California Pizza Kitchen, Cozi's for S'mores, and the Huntington Book Review where we danced among the bookshelves.

4. Where did you go on your latest date?Dinner at John Harvard's (a local brewery) and a movie (the King's Speech - incredible).

5. What's your anniversary date?October 18, 2009

6. Where were you married?St. Christopher's Church, Baldwin, NY

7. What was your best/favorite wedding gift and from whom?My Aunt Barbara hosted me at her home three days before my wedding and she gave me a basket filled with trinkets to remind us to always love through everything. Things included a pen a pencil (they both write, but differently), a rubber band (remember to stretch for each other), and $20 for emergency food (still have it 'hidden' in my desk for rice and beans if we are desperate).

8. Where did you honeymoon?London and Paris

9. What food do you like now because of your spouse?Kale and brussel sprouts. Freddy sautes them with garlic, balsamic, holy delish!

10. What type of music do you like now because of your spouse?Eric Clapton and Elton John.

11. What movie or television program do you like now because of your spouse?hmmmm...Freddy loves (and I mean loves) movies and the Food Network. I'll say that I never would have even watched Iron Chef and I love some of his favorite movies such as Shawshank Redemption.

12. Favorite PG rated thing you like doing together?Visit the botanical gardens.

13. Last gift you bought your spouse?A new book and Netflix for the year.

14. Last gift your spouse bought you?A new Lisa Leonard necklace for Valentine's Day.

15. Favorite things about your spouse?Besides the obvious (he's a devoted husband), he is an incredible cook. And he loves creating delicious meals for us and our guests. He also does dishes, his own laundry, and mops.

16. Something you disagree about:If salad is a meal. I say never, he says it's acceptable.

17. Book that you both like:We have very different tastes in literature, but we both liked the DaVinci Code.

18. Best shared experience?Our polar bear plunge a couple of years ago. It was way better than I expected.

19. One thing you want to do together in the future?Continue with dancing lessons.

20. What makes a marriage last?

Well, we are new at this, but from observations and experience: listen before reacting, don't sweat the small stuff, sweat the big stuff together, talk with each other (not at, not to), expect the best, don't dread tomorrow.