How did you and your partner meet? How long have you been together? When did you know he/she was "the one?"
Michael and I met about 10 years ago in a fairly unromantic situation. My friend was engaged in a drunken make out sesh with his friend in a dirty bar called Club Hell. It was...um...awkward. He asked me to dance and I said NO. Honestly, he was far too good looking and charming and I was NOT getting sucked into it. Cut to two years later and I finally let myself get sucked in. That's where I've been ever since. I knew he was the one pretty much immediately. Once I finally let him in, I was a goner. We got engaged after only a couple months of dating. We have been officially together for 8 years and married for 5.
What's a typical weekend like for the two of you? How about a date night?
Weekend days are completely revolved around our kids (my step son Christian,10 and our son Hendrix, 2) so lots of parks, playdates, and meals out at our favorite family friendly spots. Michael works nights as a DJ so we rarely have a Saturday night together but Friday nights are usually family movie or game night. We try to squeeze in some romance after the kids go to bed. I'm a big fan of the at home “date night." Its amazing how far some candlelight and a bath full of bubbles can go. We try to get a babysitter once a month to get out and about and usually that involves a yummy meal and a drink with friends. My birthday is on Valentine's Day and this year Michael took me to the Casino/Spa for 2 days. It was the best treat ever. Its so important to reconnect as a “couple” and not just “co-parents."
What makes your relationship work? Or in other words, what's your secret to a long-term, loving relationship? Any advice?
This is a really tough question. I think what makes us work is a deep, unexplainable connection. I don't like to use the term “soul mates” but there is something between Michael and I that I have never experienced before. We have had a lot of ups and downs and the only thing I can think of that really kept us together is that connection. I truly can NOT imagine being with anyone else. I wish I could say that I have some great advice to give but after 8 years together I still feel like we are learning and growing. Ask me again in 10 more years? Maybe thats the secret...never think you have it in the bag, keep working at it, make mistakes and then deal with them, learn from each other, challenge yourself to change, and never forget why you fell in love in the first place.
