Saturday, May 5, 2012

Opposites

Mini golfing in St. George, January 2008.

When I think of lovers meeting for the first time, I imagine them at a mutually enjoyed activity, such as a concert or art fair, or being introduced by mutual friends dying to get them together. They hit it off and walk off into the sunset doing those hobbies and hanging out with their friends together.

That's not quite how it went down for me and my hubby. My husband and I are the epitome of opposites attracting. He grew up in the boonies of Wisconsin, outside of Green Bay. He's a jock and huge Packers fan. He likes punk rock and rap, junk food, and action movies, and his friends are usually jocks and their cheerleader wives. I, on the other hand, grew up in the suburbs of San Diego, raised by parents from New York but influenced by California life. I love watching plays and ballets, reading books, exercising, and generally eating healthy. I'm not into team sports, and my friends are usually more academic and creative.

Sometimes I wonder how in the world we got married and have stayed married. It has been a challenge finding things to do that we both enjoy. (At first it was a lot of movies, bowling, and miniature golfing.) But it has been a challenge that has brought us together and expanded our interests. For example, our first Valentine's Day as a married couple my husband bought us tickets to a ballet. He also took ballroom dance classes when we first started dating so he wouldn't have to watch me dance with other guys, and he discovered he was good at and enjoyed it. I took a beginning golf class, found out I liked it, and played and practiced golf with my husband.

I still don't like football and Justin probably won't watch ballet again (unless it's our daughters dancing), but that's ok. We've found plenty of things to do together and with other couples we both like--now if only we can find the money to do them!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I agree that it's a challenge to find things to enjoy together as a couple. The part where it gets tough for Dan and I is that the things we love to do in our spare time are solitary activities, like graphic design and computer programming. It's hard to not get sucked into our own projects instead of finding ways we can try new things and grow together. It's a work in progress :)

Mrs. Sanchez said...

Marriage is definitely something that pushes you to grow as an individual. I never knew that Justin did ballroom dancing for you - he is sooo good! I thought he always did it. You had karate in common once upon a time. :) I think the most important thing is that you have couples to do things with whom you both enjoy as well. I think sometimes you love your husband even more when you see him in a group and other people enjoying him too.

Anyways, Oscar has become such a homebody lately. We enjoy a lot of similar things, it is just DRAGGING him out of the house to do them. His favorite thing is hanging out with me at home. I love it too and most nights we spend time together, laughing, eating and reading to each other or watching shows.

That being said, I still have a shortage of good friends over here and it's impossible to get this guy out. I actually have started some of my own activities sans husband. People always asks me why my husband doesn't come and I just have to say he doesn't want to. Innocent question, but I dislike answering it. Also, I have to leave early so Oscar and I still have family time at home.

Oh well. Balancing two people's lives is never perfect. We do go on hikes though and are starting Salsa this Thursday actually (we missed last week). So, those will both be fun!

Francesca said...

Thanks, ladies!

Francine, I can't believe I forgot about karate! We can't wait for Caden to be old enough so we can get back into it as a family.

Mrs. Sanchez said...

awww, that will be so fun!

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