August 20, 2005

Children Dancing at a Party by Norman Rockwell


Next week, we will be celebrating our fourth year of marriage.

Her Idea of Romance

Girls bond through gestures and meaningful experiences

When I was younger, my grandmother Kappes described the circumstances in which she had met my grandfather. It was at a dance at the county chair, Ada of Norman County in Minnesota. My grandfather was a musical renaissance man. He played the banjo, oboe and the piano, just to name a few. From the stage is where he spotted my grandma that night. She was dancing with another fellow. As the song he was playing came to end, he told the band he’d sit out the next tune. Quickly, he snatched up my grandmother for the next dance.

And I can honestly say that they hadn’t stop dancing since that night. They grew a farm and also a large family. They were not without hardship or trial, but they were partners and endured.

I knew I wanted to follow in my grandparents footsteps. I was pleased when I met Michael at a church dance. He was helping his brother DJ the affair. Not quite the oboe, but you get the idea. A year after we had met, we were married.

I love to dance. And despite his grumbles, Mike is willing to dance with me and even learned how to swing and waltz. He even waltzed with me in front of the entire Flagstaff stake. Ask me about it sometime. It was ridiculous. Not him, the experience.

His Idea of Romance

Guys bond through learning and recurring actions

While Michael was attending his first, and little did he know his last, year at Brigham Young University, he stayed with his uncle and his aunt. His aunt and uncle enjoy cooking together, and in my opinion, this activity surpasses just a plain-Jane hobby, it is art. Of course, I am partial to food… but I am zealous for good food. And they make GOOD food.

Michael has always expressed the desire to learn recipes and cook meals together. This dream has fell by the wayside as schedules began to clash and as Caleb begun demonstrating his acrobatic talents on the oven door.

So, this year for our anniversary, we are staying in and cooking dinner together. We’ll be making red bell pepper soup, kabobs (appropriate, no?) and a salad. For dessert, I have no idea. Maybe some mousse? : ) If you have any suggestions, I am open.

My hopes are a good meal, and maybe stealing a dance.

Here’s to family.

All Er Nuthin'

The other night Mike and I were watching Oklahoma! for, like, the fifth time together,
We are a musical family (as in the film genre not talent) Will started to sing “All Er Nothin'” to Ado Annie and I couldn’t help smiling! The lyrics reminded me of Michael’s attitude while we dated.
When I met Mike I wasn’t ready for a boyfriend, I wanted to date and enjoy myself.
Mike wanted something a little more serious, but respected my wishes… that was until I wanted to hold his hand.
“Nope,” was his response, “that’s more of a boyfriend/girlfriend thing.”
I thought he had softened his stance when he kissed me a few weeks later. NOPE. I think it was some kind of phychological warfare. The very next day, I went in for a kiss and got REJECTED, I got SHUT DOWN. Mike had tried another DTR talk on me and said, “No kissing unless we are going out.”
I caved. Not even within 24 hours of our first kiss.
Yeah, he’s that good of a kisser.

With me it's all er nuthin'.

Is it all er nuthin' with you?

It cain't be "in between"

It cain't be "now and then"

No half and half romance will do!

I'm a one woman man, Home lovin' type,

All complete with slippers and pipe.

Take me like I am, er leave me be!

If you cain't give me all, give me nuthin'

And nuthin's whut you'll git from me!

All Er Nuthin, Oklahoma!

My Better Half

1. What is his name? Michael Dean Thomson

2. Who eats more? We use to try to out eat each other… but after being pregnant I can’t stomach that much food anymore, so he does. Where he puts it, I’ll never know.

3. Who said, "I love you" first? I remember writing “love ya” at the end of my e-mails to him, but I think he was the first one to step up and say that he had feelings for me.

4. Who is taller? Michael is- he is 6’1” and I am 5’7.5”

5. Who is smarter? Michael wins that one again. Most of the time, I have no idea what he is talking about.

6. Who is more sensitive? I am, by far.

7. Who does the laundry? We switched back and forth for a long time, but now that we are out of school and I’m at home, I do.

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? We like to switch this up every now and again. It really feels good on your back OR makes you appreciate your own side a little bit more. Currently I’m on the side closest to the door. By the way… which right side? Like, if you are facing the bed or when you are in the bed?

9. Who pays the bills? Michael does. He makes the money and manages it.

10. Who cooks more? I do, although he is very talented in the kitchen. Making Boston Crème Pie… and mac n’ cheese… breakfast… cereal… frozen pizzas… grilled cheese sandwiches… salsa and chips… the list goes on.

11. Who is more stubborn? Geez. We are both stubborn in our own ways. We will leave it at that.

12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? It depends on the occasion.

13. Who has more siblings? Technically, he does. He has four siblings while I have two halves… which only gives me one whole.

14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? At this time, neither… it’s been Caleb mostly these days.

15. What do you like to do together? Before Caleb… we liked to: read together, watch movies, go on long car trips, take pictures, discuss many topics, go to the temple often, and EAT. We love to eat. Now, we just eat… and play with Caleb and take pictures of Caleb.

16. Who eats more sweets? I beige and then can go for months without sweets. Mike’s appetite is pretty constant.

17. Guilty Pleasures? Playing Rise of Nations, Need for Speed, Bloons and eating junk food for breakfast and cereal for snacks... and Harry Potter (I've created a monster).

18. His best features and qualities? I love my husband’s strong facial features. I know I make fun of it often, but his nose is very handsome and reminds me of the portraits of Joseph Smith. His eyes are a beautiful blue. My husband reevaluates himself regularly; he is always trying to improve himself. He is service-oriented, and is always doing more than his share of the work. He loves to learn. He learned to swing dance and waltz for me. Because he enjoys learning, he is a wonderful teacher.