Q & A with Yours Truly

Thank you all for your creative questions! I had a great time answering them and I apologize in advance that this is so long!

With Love from New Orleans asked: When did you first know that your hubby was "the one"?
You could say I was a picky dater. My relationships lasted 2 weeks max. I would get bored and that would be that.
It's funny because Garth was the same way! When we began dating it was an ongoing joke with friends of who would break up with who first. But we never got sick of being together. We always missed each other when we were apart and we wanted to be together all the time. We had so. much. fun. I knew Garth was "the one" after a month. I had never dated someone that long that I still wanted to be with. I had never felt so connected with someone. I had never laughed so much with someone.

Rachel and Sandy Toes asked: What's your favorite store?
IKEA. I could spend hours in there. Most of our furniture is from here and I will always remember our first month of marraige spent at IKEA making our new home.

Sweetassbabs asked: How many kids do you want and how far apart would you like them???
This is a tough one! Right now, we want two kids spaced two years apart (Pricilla and Tristan, in case you were curious of the names). But if we have the money, we would also love to adopt a child or two.

Robyn asked: Where in South Africa is Garth from?
Garth is from Johannesburg.

How did you become an event planner?
I always dreamed of going to seminary because I love studying theology. After college I made this dream come true. While studying, I became active in the women's ministry and student leadership. In both of these activities I was the event coordinator. I loved it!
Fast forward two years to graduation from seminary. The event coordinator of my school was leaving and I applied for her job. I got the job and love what I do!

The NewlyWoodwards asked: Where is one place you would love to visit?
I have to include two places in my answer, and they do go together, I promise! Garth and I are planning a trip to these two places on one big vacation someday! We want to go to France so I can meet my sister-in-law and my niece! And then we want to head to South Africa so Garth can show me where he grew up and I can meet his dad, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Melissa asked: What was your favorite class you ever took?
Apologetics. I have a passion for learning to defend the faith. I adored this class! I am such a nerd, but I loved reading and watching debates between Christians and Atheists/Buddhists/Hindos/Mormans/etc. I read this stuff in my leisure time - nerd alert!

What's a dream/goal of yours that not many know about?
I long to be a scholar. I love studying, researching, analyzing, and wrestling with new ideas. I would love to write a book and/or teach a college level course.

If you had the option to spend an unlimited amount of money on ONE thing what would it be?
GAH! This is so hard, but at the risk of sounding materialistic, I would say a gorgeous mansion on the ocean.

Sassy Engineer asked: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Watching "The Hills" on MTV.

La Petite Chic asked: When do you feel your best?
When I'm with Garth.

D.A.R. asked: How did you and Garth meet?
My friend from college, Kim, invited me to a game night at her house. I sat next to Garth on the couch and we hit it off! We talked, laughed, teased each other, etc. After I had left he asked Kim to set up a group date with me. She set it up for the next week and I was so excited! BUT this time was so different, we had nothing to say to each other. We did not get along! I thought he was rude and he thought I talked too much.
Fast forward a year when Garth moves in with our mutual friend, Brad. Brad and I are playing tennis and Garth comes to watch. I'm pretty sure he is impressed with my mad tennis skills and decides to come to dinner with us. Ok, maybe it wasn't the tennis skills, but I digress. We have a great time at dinner and as I'm about to leave he says: "Why don't you come over next weekend for dinner!" I agreed, and from that dinner on, we were inseprable.

Is your current job something you want to do as a long term career?
To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. I'm really struggling with this right now. I love my job and I love the organization I work for, but I don't know if this is what I really want to do. I'm spending a lot of time in prayer over this issue.

Where is your dream vacation, and are you planning on going?
Greece cruise! We plan on going someday, maybe our 25th anniversary!

If calories and guilt didn't matter, what is one treat you LOVE to eat?
Chili Cheese Fries. YUMMO.

What made you decide to become an event planner?
I always thought it would be a fun job. I love attending events and I love organizing, planning and I am very detailed so it came naturally.

What has been the biggest struggle/compromise/adjustment with your first year of marriage? Did it surprise you, or were you expecting it?
Well, fortunately for us, we’ve had a very blessed 1st year so far. But I know for me, one thing that has challenged me is figuring out how to adapt to the role as wife. What does a wife look like in the eyes of the Lord and how do I become that? Although I’ve matured a lot since we first started dating, I’m still a long way from where I want to be.
I guess I was a little surprised to feel this way. We did so much reading, and preparing before the wedding that I felt ready. BUT nothing can better prepare you to be a wife than experience. I'm 8+ months in and I'm still loving this journey of learning how to be a wife.

Anonymous asked: What do you want for Christmas and what are you buying that handsome husband of yours?
I know Garth asked this question and I know he reads this blog so there is NO WAY I am telling him what I am getting him for Christmas on here!
From you, dear husband, I would like Wicked tickets and a nice dinner out!

Amy asked: Who said I love you first?
I waited 5 MONTHS for Garth to say "I love you." He would take me on the roof of his school and I would think "he's going to do it now!" He would take me for a walk to a waterfall and I would think "he's going to do it now!" FINALLY, 5 months after dating we are hanging out and Garth looks me right in the eye and says "Do you love me?" The stinker made me say it first!!!

Stephanie asked: What do you do for a living?
Event planning for a non-profit organization.

Savvy Mode asked: Since you like sushi, what is the most unusual/strangest sushi you ever had?
Eel. My brother made me try it...sick!

Liana asked: What's your favorite sushi?
Please don't think less of me, but california rolls are my fave. I know some say this is not real sushi, but I could eat it morning, noon and night!

Mrs. Guru asked: What is your favorite food from when your were a child that your mom makes?
Chicken stir-fry. Her recipe was so delish it won a contest in our local paper!

Ain't She Sweet! asked: What is your favorite Bible Verse?
John 13: 12-17 "12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them."
It is a beautiful illustration of marriage - to serve each other. Marriage is not about getting what you want from the other person, it is about serving the other person sacrifically and humbly. In turn, together serving the world so others will know Christ.

Emily asked: How many siblings do you have?
2 younger brothers, ages 23 and 21.

How many does Garth have?
2 sisters, ages 21 and 29.

IF you could travel anywhere in the world... where would you go and why?
After visiting family in France and SA we def want to go to Australia to see the beaches, and hopefully pick up the accent!

Do you have any animals??
Not yet. =( We want a pug, but we know the timing is not right.