Here's How You Know...
Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 10:38PM | by Katy ...I'm back in school again. You will likely see more journal posts from me than you have seen since... well... since I was an undergrad. Why is that? It's a little thing I like to call procrastination. Enjoy, because you're going to see lots of it for the next few years.
I did purposefully sit down in front of my computer to do my school assignment. I even placed my book (Development Across the Life Span) beside me, and I have every intention of opening it...eventually. But, I did first decide to check out Bo's blog (hilarious!) followed by Kitty's blog (we understand each other). And, somehow that led me to update our site.
Kitty posted a wonderful little meme that I wanted to share. Before I do that, I'll explain to those who, like me, would probably have to look up that word to understand it. According to Merriam-Webster, a meme is "an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture." Seeing as how our entire lives are spilled out all over the World Wide Web, it seems like a word we should all know and understand.
I've always loved these memes (and now I'm happy to have an official name for them). I'd like to think it's because they cause me to think more deeply about myself or contemplate how to make the world a better place. I honestly think it's because the web has become the modern-day way of "keeping up with the Joneses." It's like I'm saying, "Look at how great my marriage is. I can write an entire meme about it. AND I can be cute and clever while I do it!" Okay, so maybe my motives aren't that impure. Maybe I just enjoy my life so much I can't help but write all about it (if that doesn't spoil your lunch, I don't know what will!).
Here goes...
What are your middle names?
Averitt is mine...and I wanted to keep it. Mom guilt-tripped me into retaining my maiden name instead, which is Hinesley. "Katy, how will they know who you were before you married if you don't keep your maiden name?" My point exactly.
Brian's middle name is John. Brian John Morgan. Can't get much more all-American than that. And after reading that, I now know why we've had our identity stolen twice. Must be more discreet in the future.
How long have you been together?
Ten years! Unless you count the on-again/off-again moments. In that case, we'll have to say eight or so. Okay, let's just say we've been married since May of 2005.
How old are you both?
Both of us are 27 going on 77. We're the only couple we know NOT wearing adult diapers who would honestly rather crawl into bed at 8 p.m. and read a book (together) rather than deal with the "hassle" of going out.
(Okay, so far, this is not accomplishing the "keeping up with the Joneses" thing I was aiming to achieve. Unless the Joneses are serious dorks. Then we're in good shape.)
How long did you know each other before you started dating?
That's really up for debate. We went to school together from 6th grade on through high school. We were even in the same grade. However, neither of us remembers exactly when we "met." I think it was some time around 11th grade. This was also around the same time that Brian stopped playing with Ninja Turtle figurines. Coincidence?
Who asked whom out?
This was actually very controversial at the time. I sent Brian a letter our senior year that basically told him I was in love with him and that he should be in love with me too. He sent me one back and said, "That's nice, but I have a girlfriend." A few weeks later we were dating. That poor girl didn't like me very much.
Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Can't think of a single one. Our life is perfect. (In other words, wait until we publish the book.)
Did you go to the same school?
Both middle and high school. Brian went to UGA first, and once I transferred into UGA, he decided to go to Georgia Tech. It's not his fault, though. He wasn't cool enough to actually graduate from Georgia. Okay, well I almost wasn't cool enough to graduate either. But that's another story for another day...
Are you from the same home town?
Yes we are both from the Syphilis capital of the world. Ever heard of the Lost Children of Rockdale County? Thank you, Frontline. That's exactly how I like to remember my hometown.
Who is smarter?
If you need help doing your taxes, flying a plane, getting directions, or doing public math, call Brian.
If you need anything related to reading, writing, listening or speaking, call me.
Who is the most sensitive?
Definitely Brian. He's one of those perfectly sensitive males who asks all the right questions and says all the right things. The only problem he has is that he's married to an insensitive woman who says, "Can we just wait until halftime to talk about this?"
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Our neighbor's houses. We have some gourmet chefs living in our village!
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Hmm...I guess we're sitting in it. We have been to Paris and Germany (kind of). Must make traveling more of a priority this year.
Who has the craziest exes?
Honestly, we both dated some pretty wonderful people...otherwise, we wouldn't have dated them.
Who has the worst temper?
The last time we had a knock-down-drag-out, I think it was Brian that decided to dramatically punch the pillow. That's right. He has the instinct to have a normal outburst like the rest of the male race, but he's entirely too cheap to break anything in the process. That's where the pillow comes in handy.
I don't get mad; I get quiet. VERY quiet.
Who does the cooking?
These days it's 100% Brian. Honestly, we've got a pretty good system in place where I do the shopping, I decide the meal, and I put the ingredients on the counter at the appropriate time. Brian does the prep, the cooking, and he even cleans the entire kitchen. Somehow he doesn't feel as though he got the raw end of that deal. Shhhh...don't tell him!
Who is the neat-freak?
If having plastic containers full of plastic containers and getting the label-maker out on anything that will sit still classifies me as a neat-freak, then I'm guilty. I'm not as crazy as my mother, though. In more than 30 years of marriage, the woman has YET to find a housekeeper who can pass her "white glove" test of cleanliness. I'm happy with someone who will come over here and just play with the dog for a few hours - oh and she does manage to clean sometimes too.
Who hogs the bed?
Chief.
Who wakes up earlier?
Definitely Brian. He knows he won't get so much as a grunt out of me before I'm fully leaded. He gets up, makes the coffee, and brings me a cup in bed. He then wakes me up and hour later after he's reheated the cup that went cold while sitting on the bedside table.
Where was your first date?
We went to Mandarin Garden Chinese restaurant in our hometown, and then we went to Winn-Dixie to buy me some vanilla ChapStick and hair clips. And I didn't realize until this very minute how very redneck that was. Yes, we honestly did go in his pickup truck, too. Throw in a 40 ounce and some deer rifles, and that sounds like a party!
How long did it take to get serious?
After the whole letter fiasco, not long. In fact, I believe that Brian told me he loved me before our first date. We knew at 17-years-old we would be married one day. Now, 22 was a different story...
Who eats more?
It's not so much the amount we eat that makes the difference...it's what we eat. I could live on French fries, boiled peanuts and pizza. Brian could live on chocolate and vanilla ice cream. Not such a good thing for the couple whose other favorite activity (besides eating) is lying in bed reading books.
Who does the laundry?
Didn't know we had any.
Who's better with the computer?
Hardware is all Brian. I don't even think about touching it. Software is all me. I'm the webmaster.
Who drives when you are together?
If we want to get there in a big, fat hurry without getting lost or in an accident, then Brian drives. If we want to have an exhilarating ride, then that's all me.
Now, wasn't that fun? You all feel free to play along! You can comment on our site or post this meme on your own blog or Facebook page if you have one. Make sure you send us a link to it, though!
Daily Life, Family, Memory Lane
Reader Comments (6)
I honestly cannot believe someone has not already posted a comment on this blog. I'm honored that it's me. I must say that it's not wise to read this and drink coffee at the same time. My computer screen almost when black....from spewing the coffee all over it! Man that brought back some awesome memories of when you guys started "dating", or "going out" as it were in those days. I remember it like it was yesterday. I think I laughed my butt off the whole time it was happening; not in your face, but when Brian would tell me about it. Brian will remember this question I asked him, "how long was it straight?" Don't get all dirty minded Katy.....ask Brian.
Katy,
I have just sat down at the computer to work on taxes (your Dad is actually ready for my stuff and it is not even April 14th!) and saw your new post.
I just have 2 things to say:
1. Your Hometown is Conyers, Georgia. The story on Frontline is history we care not to remember! Be proud of where you are from!!!
2. This note is to Brian. When Gerald brings me coffee every morning he puts it in a travel mug so it will stay hot until I do wake up to drink it!
I enjoyed your trip down memory lane! I too remember all the drama we all lived through. I do believe that the credit for the 2 of you getting together should be awarded to Pam & Terry. I do believe we were watching it unfold before the two of you knew what was going on. (All State Chorus?).
Love you,
Mama
Okay, so I have a comment. You might not have DATED some crazies, but you kissed some... Bob???
Oh, and I posted this on my facebook about a week ago, and I can't remember if I tagged you or not. You're welcome to go look and read all you want to know about Kai and me. :)
First of all, Pam, I will try to incorporate a travel mug into the morning routine. Also, Amy.....who is Bob? The world wants to know...
Now I'm not one for censorship, but I do want to remind the viewing public (ahem, Amy) that I have an enormous amount of control on this site. And don't forget that I also have LOTS of dirty little secrets about you, Mrs. Griffin. There's a certain baseball field story that comes to mind... Don't make me go there!
Stephen, while I do believe that your question wasn't inherently "dirty-minded," I have no doubt that you used EVERY opportunity to make it appear that way.
Finally, mother, I do believe that you and my precious mother-in-law can ONLY take credit for complicating our relationship. We spent all of All-State chorus running away from you two. Ten years later, we finally decided to move to England to get away. ;-) Just kidding. We miss you both more than you know!
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Keep it up!
This is hilarious...I can remember the drama surrounding the boyfriend/girlfriend thing- mmmm memories! This is my guilty pleasure when I have time to read- love it... more more!
XOXO,
Lauren Elizabeth Jann ( I ditched Koch- it would have sounded Chinese..really say it allowed Lauren Koch Jann)