How the Beantown Menzies began + a whole lot more; a 23 question tag

This is a tag from a blast from the past, Colorado Julie.

Preface: Here's my twist on a famous quote..."It's not the mountains ahead that are most difficult, but the grains of sand in my shoes." Being a mom of 5 kiddos from ages 1-11, it's easy to let the nitty gritty glamour-less pebbles of whining, diapers, scuffs on walls, never-ending laundry and clean-up, refereeing, and chore managing be all consuming. Some days it literally feels all consuming. Some days when Wayne comes home I feel like taking a long winter's nap. Knowing I chose these mommy pebbles, I've learned to find joy in little things each day...dandelion bouquets from Caroline, head-to-head touches from Wesley, Christina's helping hand, "You're the best!" from Thomas, beautiful artwork from Grace, a moment of cooperation, a kind conversation, sibling support! Finding joy is a sanity saver...like a moment of sheer gratitude. I don't want my 30 year wedding anniversary to come around and look back at years of being so all-consumed with mommy pebbles only to find that I missed out on joy with the man I fell in love with in the winter of '93. I am thankful for the support and love I have felt from Wayne over the years which has helped me recognize blessings in my roles as mother and wife, despite the craziness:) So, cue "Wayne's World," and read on if you're curious how our circus began...

1. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE? The first time I met Wayne was after he gave a report of his mission in church. I especially loved his stories of service and could tell that he served an honorable mission. I went up to him and told him I could tell he was a great missionary. Life was easy and smooth sailing at the time. I wasn't looking for Mr. Right. I didn't even introduce myself.

2. WHERE DID YOU GO ON YOUR FIRST DATE? The day of our first date, we went with a group of friends up a canyon in Provo to go sledding. It was January '93. The road was barely safe for 2 lanes with the snow built up on the sides. As I was riding with Wayne in his old silver Jetta, an Explorer was passing a car in the opposite lane and came right for us. Wayne moved to the shoulder as much as possible, but the snow was covering the edge of the road, so we couldn't see the drop off. We started sliding down the bank of the Provo River, the Jetta turned over on it's hood in the river bed, the windshield cracked, and water started to come in. We hustled out of the car with the help of a good Samaritan, and got up to the road. The Jetta was towed to Wayne's grandparent's condo. Wayne dried out the wet parts, and the car was good to go. That night was our official first date. We took my car. All I remember was sitting on park bench with Wayne thinking I could see myself in the same spot with Wayne as an old couple.

3. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TOGETHER? You didn't say this involved math! Fine. 14+ years.

4. WHO EATS MORE? More? Wayne. Faster? That would have been me in our early years.

5. WHO SAID "I LOVE YOU" FIRST? I was hoping Wayne would say it first and he came through. We were both essentially off the market after that point.

6. WHO'S TALLER? Waynerd.

7. WHO SINGS BETTER? I'm going to take this one. I am not a great singer and it makes me laugh to think of my sisters and I "performing" in church many times. I think there is something to be said for sibling voices blending well.

8. WHO IS SMARTER? Factually, Waynerd. If either of us had a penny for every time someone has asked, "Is there anything you [Wayne] doesn't know?" we'd be gazillionaires. Wayne also is smart enough to say "I don't know" and find answers when needed. He also is quick to fact check. I love that about him.

9. WHO DOES THE LAUNDRY? MOI. I really love my front loaders, but they haven't made me love laundry. My cousin's wife was visiting (our Spanish Christmas Yankee Swap party is a story for another day) and when she saw all of the laundry baskets full, she said, "You have too many clothes!" A light bulb went on in my head...less clothes=less laundry. I also thought, "She obviously hasn't been shopping for little girly clothes lately." Seriously though, since she made that comment, I've thought twice and three times before bringing yet another darling outfit into my laundry cycle. I haven't loathed laundry enough to have my older kids do their own laundry, but I'm sure that day will come.

10. WHO DOES THE DISHES? If you asked Wayne he'd say we have 4 dishwashers...Christina, Thomas, Grace & Caroline. True, they help to a degree, but I oversee and truth be told am THE dishwasher.

11. WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED? Wayne with his CPAP. Probably annoying for him, but it beats snoring and sleepless nights.

12. WHO PAYS THE BILLS? Moi. Dad, stop laughing!!!!

13. WHO MOWS THE LAWN? Waynerd. I love my garden, but haven't touched the mower. I'm sure I don't know the fun I'm missing out on.

14. WHO COOKS DINNER? Moi.  I love to cook. But Wayne is comfortable in the kitchen... he's the chef type of cook; very exact and precise, and very good at making brilliant dishes. I'm a family cook; throwing together this and that, tweaking recipes, and every now and then resorting to Kraft Mac & Cheese (like the time I used purple cabbage to make roasted Corned Beef with veggies- the purple bled and we ended up with blackish purple potatoes and "I am NOT eating this!" comments).

15. WHO DRIVES WHEN YOU ARE TOGETHER? Waynerd. When I was 16 my parents let me drive our family to church. When I started to leave the house, my very concerned little sister said, "Becky's driving? We're going to DIE!!!" I had the nickname "Sister Andretti" on my mission. I like to think my driving has improved since leaving the CA freeways, but driving in MA is a matter of survival as well, so I'm actually happy to close my eyes in the passenger seat while Wayne deals with the crazies.

16. WHO IS MORE STUBBORN? I wouldn't describe either of us as stubborn, although I know there is a stubborn gene in my family. So, maybe this would be me.....maybe not.

17. WHO IS THE FIRST TO ADMIT THEY ARE WRONG? This isn't a big deal for either of us, and I'm sure we've gotten better about this over time. After the high of the temple wedding and honeymoon, it's humbling that first year to realize you married imperfection and your imperfections are exposed as well. Now that we know we can be happily married as an imperfect perfect match, it's not so hard to fess up and work out the kinks (ok, the latter still isn't easy, but the fessing up part is much easier after 14+ years).

18. WHO KISSED WHO FIRST? I'm certain Wayne kissed me first.

19. WHO PROPOSED? Wayne did such a good job. We went out to dinner (a real treat during starving student days) at Nino's in SLC. Wayne was being very strange, in a giddy, goofy, trying to make this the best date ever kind of way. I knew he was up to something. We left the restaurant and went to Temple Square Visitor's Center. The grounds were beautiful with red tulips and purple hyacinth. He got down on one knee in front of the Cristus (hands down one of the most beautiful places in the world & Wayne knew it meant a lot to me) and proposed.

20. WHO IS MORE SENSITIVE? Me. Wayne is a softy, but I'll take the cake in this dept.

21. WHO HAS MORE FRIENDS? I honestly don't know. We both are quite popular....oops, was I too sarcastic there? Truly, we both are happy with the good friends we have and are always happy to add another.

22. WHO HAS MORE SIBLINGS? Me: 9. Wayne has 5.

23. WHO WEARS THE PANTS? We both do. I'm happy to turn over the reigns when he gets home, but it's truly a joint effort. It has to be for our family.

Julie, will you send some Ibuprofen my way b/c my neck hurts after being a good friend and passing along this LONG tag!! :)  You can all correct my spelling and grammar.

This tag goes on to whoever read through question 23, hasn't already answered this tag, and is feeling all gushy in love and grateful for the love of their life.