The One Where I Answer Questions About Love and Stuff

I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately. I’m not sure if it is because my always overflowing schedule has finally caused burn out, if I am experience a case of the SADS (seasonal affective disorder), or if this is just one of those times in someone’s life where things are a little more lethargic. Regardless, it is especially evident in my online life, which I suppose is to be expected because it is the only place where I don’t have to be on top of everything. I am revving at 100% all day at work and all evening as Dan and I get supper on the table and tackle bedtimes. But once the kitchen is cleaned and the laundry is folded and my me-time finally shows up, I have little energy left. I really wanted to blog about Valentine’s Day. I had a lot of ideas for this week, but I just never got around to executing them.

Thankfully, Elaine from The Miss Elaine-ous Life has teamed up with Tamara from Tamara (Like) Camera to do a Valentine’s version of Old School Blogging – a throw-back to the blogging of old when we used to fill our posts with survey questionnaires. Because it is Valentine’s week and because I love Valentine’s Day and because I am so tired and can’t scrounge up the energy to write anything else, I thought I would participate.

Valentine’s Day is pretty tame now that we have kids. Everyone in the family gets a card and a small treat in the morning and we share a nice family dinner in the evening followed by cake. (Did I forget to mention that Valentine’s Day is also my birthday?). This year I hope to encourage my oldest to make his own valentines for everyone in the family in which he can express something he loves about each person.

Do you like to get A) chocolates B) flowers C) a sweet card or D) ALL OF THE ABOVE?

Why choose? I adore chocolate. I rarely get flowers so am always pleasantly surprised by them, and cards actually mean a lot to me, especially when coming from a person I love… double especially if they have included a hand written sentiment from their heart.

Would you consider yourself a “cuddler”? If not, would you at least cuddle on Valentine’s Day?

I am a cuddler… or at least I used to be. Now, life gets in the way of cuddling. I always seem to feel the pressure to do something else, and I often feel like I get so little personal space so cuddling often feels stressful or suffocating. But I know deep down in my heart that I love and miss cuddling, so I should try it more. Especially on Valentine’s Day.

What is your favorite movie about love or with a love story?

I’m a huge fan of the Hugh Grant chick flicks. Though I don’t watch movies much anymore, I do pull out Love Actually every year. And Notting Hill holds a special place in my heart because I was watching it when Dan first instant-messaged me. I should watch that one again around Valentine’s Day this year. It is fabulous. And I cannot forget the classic: 10 Things I Hate About You. I watched that non-stop in high school.

Do you believe in “love at first sight”? Did it happen to you?

“Love at first sight” is a misnomer. You can start to fall in love at first sight. You can start crushing at first sight. You can be loving any time. But I maintain that love isn’t a feeling. It is a verb. That thing we are so used to calling “love” is either the feeling of “being love” or the feeling of strong attraction. So, yes, we can be attracted so someone at first sight. No, I don’t think we can grasp the complexities of loving the whole of a person the first time we see them.

Did it happen to me? This thing we maybe call “love at first sight”? I knew Dan before I ever “saw” him. We met online (through blogging actually). But, after our very first date, we both knew that we would eventually get married. We felt that spark that I think some people would call “love at first sight” and from that moment on, we were determined to make it work.

This picture below? Was taken moments after we first met in person.

Do you believe love can conquer all things?

I think saying that love can conquer all things can create unrealistic expecations of that feeling that we’re so used to calling “love”. But honestly, yes. I am convinced that Love can conquer all things. Love in its purest form – being selfless, kind, gentle, not easily angered, not proud; the love that keeps no record of wrong – can’t fail. I can’t think of anything that it can’t conquer.

What is ONE of the main things you love about your significant other?

The prominent thing that I love about Dan is constantly changing, but right now it is definitely the way he loves our kids. He is such a good Dad and Cameron and Gavin just love him so much, and that makes my heart flutter.

If you could have the perfect Valentine date what would you and your loved one do?

My perfect Valentine’s date would requires overnight babysitters so that Dan and I could go to a fancy restaurant and have delicious food and wine followed by a night in a hotel room with chocolate covered strawberries… and more wine.

Tell me about your first crush!

Well this is embarrassing. My first crush was this really cute guy sitting in my grade two class. I was new to the school after moving there, and I noticed him right away. Of course, I hardly even talked to him until around Grade 10 when we actually became friends, and that includes that short stint in Grade 5 when he was my “boyfriend”.

Do you have any embarrassing or horror dating stories?

I don’t have a long dating history so, no. The only horror dating story I have is the story about the time when Dan and I NEVER dated anymore. Or, you know, reality.

Favorite flower?

Orchids and Tulips, I suppose, though I really don’t have much of a preference.

What’s the first type of chocolate you hope for when you reach into a box of chocolates?

I grab the chocolate covered cherry first and the chocolate coconut one next.

[deleted questions about music and celebrity couples because I have no opinion]

Overall, are you pro- or anti- Valentine’s Day

PRO! For so many reasons. Mostly, because I hate all the negativity on my birthday. It kind of bums me out. And almost-mostly, because I think focusing on love is never a bad thing, even if it comes with a $5 Hallmark pre-written card.

If someone did that “Say Anything” boombox thing outside your window, would you be into it, or call the police?

Do I know them? I’m not sure what I’d do but I would definitely live Tweet it!

First thing you notice about the objects of your affection

Charisma, definitely. Dan was very charismatic right from the beginning and it immediately attracted me to him. He is so sure of himself, so good with people, and so good with knowing how to make the other person feel important. His charisma kept our conversation smooth and engaging the whole of our first date and it was part of what made me proud to introduce him to friends and family.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever gotten for Valentine’s Day?

I don’t remember which of my awesome gifts were for Christmas or Feb 14th, but lets say a diamond bracelet.