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.

Memory Monday 10/18/10

Since I missed Flashback Friday, I thought I would try Memory Monday. 

And today really is a cool day for my hubby and I - it's our first wedding anniversary.

Things I will always remember about that day:

Freddy looked so handsome and I really felt so special and loved.

It was freeeeeeezing!!!! My mother in law had to run and buy those shawls the morning of the wedding.

Our choreographed first dance

Dancing a lindy with my dad.

Loving the beginning of our life together.

 And we were surrounded by those we love who have supported us this first year.

Happy first anniversary, sweetie! Here's to many more years of love.

Christmas Magic

So, I loved my first married Christmas. It was truly memorable and spent with those people Freddy and I love most. So here are some Christmas Q&As about me:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
wrapping paper with ribbon, ornaments, and printed tags

2. Real tree or artificial?
This year was the first time in my life for a real tree. Had a tough time decorating it (can't just bend the branches to get an ornament to stay put), but loving the it's organic look and amazing smell.

3. When do you put up the tree?
We put it up a week before Christmas this year, but would like it to be a week earlier if possible.

4. When do you take down the tree?
I like to leave mine up until January 6th, the Epiphany.

5. Do you like egg nog?
Absolutely.

6. Favorite gift received as a child.
I loved my dollhouse and American Girl dolls.

7. Hardest person to buy for.
My brother. He usually likes a gift card, but I like to give a little something extra.

8. Easiest person to buy for.
Freddy. I see what he needs and wants daily.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

Yes. Mine is from my aunt and uncle and was an engagement gift. What I love is that it is small, so it fits nicely in the apartment. I will always cherish it.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
I like to pop them in the mail early December. Writing cards out is one of my favorite holiday activities.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received.
I like everything I get, but then again I am very easy to shop for.

12. Favorite Christmas movie.
Always has been A Christmas Story and Elf is a recent favorite.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually the beginning of December.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yup. If I won't use it, it is given to someone who will love it.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas.
Freddy's Carmine's Garlic and Oil Pasta - It was a HUGE BIG hit this year with the family.

16. Lights on the tree?
Yes. Big, bold colored ones.

17. Travel or stay home for Christmas?
Christmas eve is with my husband's family and Christmas day was at my cousins, which is upstairs. It was nice getting to be kind of at home this year.

18. Open the presents Christmas eve or morning?
Christmas morning.

Keep it together

So this past week included a harrowing moment of newlywed life. My husband was rushed to the emergency room because he was suffering from asthma and could not breathe. After being in the ER for a couple of hours, it was determined that he has pneumonia.

I'm not going to lie...it was one of those situations you cannot prepare for and that you dread. I have to say, I am incredibly grateful for Freddy's mom who swept in and drove us to the hospital and made sure that all the medical history questions were answered correctly.

Here's my hubby, hooked up to tubes, but still smiling :)

The lessons I learned from this not-so-fun experience:

-call doctors and nurses that you know and trust. They will be honest with you and prepare you for everything that will happen.

-be aware of your body's limitations, emotionally and physically

-bring food and water and your cellphone charger to the ER. You don't know when you'll eat and you will need to keep in touch with everyone.

-bring your own blanket (we thought of this and forgot it)

-deep breaths and little prayers along the way help a lot

-know that family are there for you, especially in the worst times. I am so grateful to all my close friends and family who checked in on us the past few days. It really made us feel loved.

-cherish every moment with those you love

Our Little Corner of the World

So, life here is getting settled and slowly Freddy and I are throwing away boxes and living out of them a lot less. We are adjusting to getting dinner ready on time, cleaning the bathroom, and relaxing with each other. We did notice we lost the downtime we had before becoming newlyweds. Now we find there are always things to be done, so we have to take time to remember to stay calm sometimes (mostly me).

Here are some peeks into our place. I'm starting to get little touches of Christmas...getting into the spirit slowly :)

I was thrilled to find this wreath (the first real one I've ever had) and little tree to surprise me when I came home from singing Sunday:

Our living room:

A little display:

Our wedding photo with Freddy's parents' photo:

Freddy made this kPf photo for me last year for Christmas. It is surrounded by Freddy's bird prints:

Our kitchen table:

My collection of Starbucks mugs:

One Month Later

And so I have enjoyed one month of married life. And I must say, it is lovely.

Things I have learned:

-Life is easier when someone else loves to cook.

-It's fun discovering your dreams together.

-I like to keep things super clean. I never thought I would be like this, but I am a cleaning fiend. And I like washing dishes. I am sure that will get old fast.

-I miss my family and friends way more than I expected to.

-Freddy and I have different sleep schedules.

-It's an adjustment to feel settled. Just trying to say "my parents' house" instead of "home" has been hard.

-It is absolutely awesome to not have to leave Freddy (or have him leave me) and drive home each night.