puts it in perspective and love Q + A

Posted: November 3, 2010 at 7:01 pm

Evening, friends! I like what a lot of you mentioned in response to my last post about getting thoughts out on paper to help not over-thinking about them at night. I could benefit from that since my mind goes into overdrive if I don’t fall back asleep within 15 minutes. Also, I want to say that what I mentioned about HLS is not definitive. It was only through correspondence with Caitlin. She mentioned it wouldn't be likely and not to depend on it. I imagine things could change, so please don't go spreading word that I told you there will be no HLS or anything like that. Kay?

But, you know something? None of my lists nor my lack of sleep nor blog conferences feel very consequential right now. We got news earlier that Peter’s grandmother is not doing very well. She has been pretty ill for awhile now, but things apparently took a turn for the worse today as her kidneys started failing, among other issues. While I don’t know his grandmother very well, it pains me to see Peter’s hurt and to consider that M has never had the chance to meet her. They live in New York and we never made it up there to visit. It reminds me of how short life truly is and that we really can’t take things for granted. Cliché, but the truth.

I adore that poster. I want one for my refrigerator. For the remainder of my post, I will stick with the Q + A. I went through and picked out one of the more fun ones to pick up the mood of the afternoon.

How did you and your husband meet? What did you do on your first date?

DSCN4114

It all started at a wine night with a group of girlfriends. I felt frustrated by men, namely the on/off ex of 8 years, which led to me going off to my friend wondering why she would want to get married. I actually expected to go through life in a never-ending drama cycle with the ex. I vowed that I never wanted to get married because the only man I would marry couldn’t exist. I then proceeded to list out the many qualities of the only man I would consider marrying trying to prove my point. My other friend turned to me and said “I KNOW HIM!!” From that point on she felt determined we were perfect for each other and strategized ways to get us to meet. Here’s a picture from the night that started it all…

For her 23rd birthday party, she knew I would be there ready to go out for a night on the town. I later learned she begged Peter over the phone to come out with us, even going so far as to fake cry. The rest of the guests were all coupled off, so Peter & I ended up hanging out together most of the night. The rest is history.

We went on our first date the following week. Spent the entire next few weekends together doing things like hikes, the pool, dinners, and movies. Then, I went to Europe for 2 months. I left thinking, eh this thing is no big deal mainly as a defense mechanism because I thought it was too good to be true. About halfway through my trip, I missed him like CRAZY and really started to fall hard. He felt the same way. We said “I love you” the day after I got back, were engaged three months after that, and married only 13 months after meeting. And I wouldn’t change a thing. This is from the day M was born…

Wow. That did make me feel a lot better. I’m all smiley now. 🙂 I hope you all have a wonderful night!

  • Have you ever been set up or on a blind date? Or give me a happy love story or a dating horror story if not.
  • Don’t forget to ASK ME ANYTHING if you want to get a question answered for the November Q + A series!

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57 Comments to “puts it in perspective and love Q + A”
  1. chelsey says:

    I hope your husband’s grandmother is doing okay. You’re in my prayers!

  2. I LOVE that poster! I want one too! I must find it.

    I’m so sorry about Peter’s grandmother. It’s really difficult when your loved ones get old and you know they are suffering. My grandmother is failing quickly and though she is 92, it is sad because we were always close. I will say a prayer for you all.

    I was set up on a blind date once when I was a single mom and my daughter was almost 2. It was the only blind date ever and led to one of the better relationships I was ever in. He was a great guy and who knows what would have happened had I not been an idiot and dumped him.

    HOWEVER, I’m glad because I met my hubby in high school and never in a zillion years would have thought I’d ever date him let alone marry him..until 11 years later. 🙂 We just had our 13th anniversary on Monday!

  3. Kelly says:

    What a great story, Tina! You and Peter were meant to be! I love “my story” with Keith. Our parents are friends and we have known one another our entire lives. He is 11 years older than me though. When I was 15 I had the biggest crush on him…my skinny legged, braced faced, stringy hair self was smitten! ha! Finally at the age of 25 I married the man of my dreams!

  4. I LOVE THIS STORY !

    and that photo of you two on M’s BIRTH day… absolutely and perfectly beautiful…

    <3

  5. i love hearing all the romantic– and perhaps not so romantic stories of how couples meet!!

    thinking about you and your family.

  6. Brooke says:

    my husband and i met on myspace (back in the day when myspace was all the rage) so that was sorta a blind date. 🙂

  7. Very romantic story!
    Sorry about Peter’s grandmother- our thoughts are with you!

  8. Babs says:

    what an adorable story.

    My soon-to-be hubby (17 days to be exact) and I met each other through mutual friends. His hot Australian accent got my attention. I wasn’t looking for love, because I was going to be moving for law school, but the love bug hit. We knew within a few wks, and he even started a savings fund for my engagement ring one month in.

    I’ve loved one man, and I’m so glad I get to marry him this month 🙂

    • Tina says:

      That is certainly something special! And you must feel so stoked for the upcoming wedding. I remember how anxious and excited I was those last few weeks.

  9. Felicia says:

    I just love stories like this. And I really love that last picture of you two (day M was born). There is just something really special about it.. have a great night 🙂

  10. Oh my, I always would have guessed you had known your husband for YEARS. I guess it goes to show you never know when you’ll find the one! Such a cute story. I’ve never been on a blind date or anything like that – I’m too much of a control freak!

  11. Sarah says:

    I hope Peter’s grandmother gets better. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

    I love yours and Peter’s story. So romantic 🙂 Hope for us single gals!!

  12. ashleigh says:

    Sorry to hear about peters grandma 🙁

    That is such a cute story!!! You guys are so cute! I hope I can find mr right soon 🙂

    I love that poster too… I actually have it hanging at work and on my fridge… it’s the best advice ever!

  13. I loved hearing your story! I am such a romantic. 🙂

    My love story brings such a smile to my face to reflect on. My boyfriend and I fell hard for each other too. He has always been such a gentleman and spoils me so much. We always communicate so well and have been through so much together, from things I struggle with to his military career and deployment. He loves me unconditionally and makes me feel like a princess.

  14. Oh, and I love that poster too! I have it saved on my computer and posted it on my facebook page recently.

  15. Camille says:

    I love that poster!
    I met my boyfriend because he used to work with my best friend. We went over to his house one night to hang out with him and a bunch of other people and he and I ended up pairing up and talking about movies all night. The next day he called my best friend and asked for my number. The rest is history 🙂

  16. Becca says:

    I LOVE that photo of you two on M’s day of birth. So sweet!
    No real boyfriends for me—-at least not yet. There was this guy people thought I was dating ’cause we spent so much time together, but I considered him to be more of a brother and it got a little awkward. =\ We still talk sometimes, but he moved states for school and ended up staying there for a job and a girl. A very nice girl. I keep wondering when I’m going to get an invitation to their wedding, but it hasn’t happened yet. 😛
    I’m REALLY hoping (and praying) that the man I marry will be my first and only boyfriend. But I know that may not happen, and I’m okay with that. And there aren’t too many guys I know so far who I’d consider being “Forever Friends” with—-that’s the way I describe it, anyway. 🙂

    One of my friends’ grandmas isn’t doing too great (hasn’t been for a while) and is having surgery… so reading about Peter’s grandma’s struggle is a little scary. =\ Thoughts and prayers for you guys and Grandma!

    • Tina says:

      Thank you for the prayers and I’ll be sure to say some for your friend’s grandma.

      Also, I do think it is so special to have the person you marry be the first significant other. I was actually Peter’s first girlfriend…at 25 years old. It happens. It just may take time. 🙂 And if you go through some missteps along the way, it definitely shows you what to appreciate. I can REALLY attest to that. LOL

    • My husband was my only boyfriend. Only guy I ever dated. I’m serious. It DOES happen!

  17. Jennifer says:

    Thanks for sharing your story. It made my night. I will go to sleep now with a smile on my lips.

  18. What a great story you two have!

  19. Leah @ L4L says:

    “It all started at a wine night with a group of girlfriends. I felt frustrated by men, namely the on/off ex of 8 years, which led to me going off to my friend wondering why she would want to get married. I actually expected to go through life in a never-ending drama cycle with the ex. I vowed that I never wanted to get married because the only man I would marry couldn’t exist.”

    Ok, this sounds eerily like me. Except change the “8” to “5”. And Jodus and I got started over a wine tasting party. That was at the house. That I was living with my ex in. DRAMA.

  20. I am so sorry to hear about Peter’s grandmother. Life truly, truly is so short! Will say a prayer for her and for your whole family.

    Now go remain all smiley tonight!

  21. I’m so sorry about Peter’s Grandma. I hope she’s doing alright.

    That story about how you met is so sweet. I love relationships that have a good story. It makes me smile. 🙂

    I don’t really have any good relationship stories. Mostly horror stories. There was the one blind date I ever went on where the guy wouldn’t stop touching me and calling me sweetheart. It was super creepy.

  22. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jolene @TBDetermined, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: Putting things in perspective – http://www.faithfitnessfun.com/5497/puts-it-in-perspective-and-love-q-a/ #fitblog […]

  23. Melie says:

    I am really sorry for Peter’s grandmother. I really hope that she gets better and M gets a chance to meet her.

    I am currently in the previous stage with the on/off guy. Could it be that if I tell you a “list out the many qualities of the only man I would consider”, you can repeat the rest of the story and find a perfect man for me too? 😛

  24. Such a beautiful story. You both are blessed 🙂

    Will be praying for Peter’s grandmother.

  25. Stefanie says:

    That poster is my favorite too! It’s so true.

    That picture of you and your hubs is so cute, so much love captured in one photo! 🙂

  26. i had that exact (well probably not exact, but pretty close) thought process when i realized i was starting to fall for my now-hubs! minimized my feelings because it was SO real. i loved reading your story, thank you for sharing it.

    thoughts and prayers for your grandmother in law and your family.

  27. Shannon says:

    I’m so sorry about Peter’s grandmother. Things like that really so put life into perspective.

    I love your love story! I always love to hear about how couples met one another. You are a beautiful couple 🙂

  28. Errign says:

    I love that poster too. It’s so true & I want it printed out on HUGE paper so I can read it every day!

    Cute story about how you & your husband met! Just curious, where did you go in Europe?

    • Tina says:

      All over. We started in London, then went to Amsterdam, through Germany, through Italy, and ended in Spain for the majority of the trip.

  29. Lee says:

    I’m sorry to hear about Peter’s grandmother.

    My worst date story – I went on a date with a guy that I met online. He not only brought a friend who had just gotten a divorce from his wife and was crying about it, but then they asked me if I wanted to smoke pot in their car in the parking lot! Umm, sketchy! I left shortly after.

  30. Lee says:

    I meant I left shortly after they asked me that, not shortly after going to their car!

  31. Emily says:

    Such a great story – thanks for sharing!! You have me smiling, too. 🙂

  32. What a wonderful story! Isn’t it funny how things like that happen? My husband and I had a mutual friend and met unexpectedly… he was laying on his couch in sweats watching football when we first met. He wasn’t expecting our friend and I to stop by, and I think he was embarrassed by how he looked. But in his sweats, he was adorable… I got to see the real him before we even went on our first date!

    I’m sorry to hear about Peter’s grandmother. That poster really does say it all.

  33. Oh my goodness, that is the sweetest story ever. I’m so glad that you were able to find the right man. Yay love!

    All my sympathy and prayers to your family <3

    I have never been on a blind date because that sounds terrifying! Plus, my friends don't have the same taste in guys that I do. Who knows what they would bring home for me?

    I've had the sameish boyfriend for like ever, so, luckily, no horrible dates of which to speak!

  34. Love the story. So sweet. Sometimes I really do believe that there is that RIGHT person out there for each of us. So sorry to hear about his grandmother though. It definitely puts things into perspective as I learned last weekend.

  35. Tina, this made my morning brighter! Thanks for sharing your sweet story 🙂

  36. Love your story!!! And Peter’s grandmother is in my thoughts and prayers.

  37. I love your story! That’s so awesome. A man of your dreams, literally (OK, of your list.) I met my husband when I was a freshman in high school, we lost touch (he was a senior) and he found me again when I was a senior in high school through a mass e-mail my cousin sent out. It was actually an e-mail I NEVER used (an AOL one) but I happened to check one day and he IMed me. The rest is history! P.S. my parents were a blind date! They married within 6 months of meeting and have now been married for 40 years this coming January.

  38. Angela says:

    Aww I love this story!! You guys are such a cute couple (with a very cute kid!!) I hope Peter’s family is doing ok. You will be in my prayers! 🙂

  39. Jess says:

    First – my thoughts are with you and your husband right now. So very sad. Second – I LOVED hearing how you two met, so cute!! Let’s see, what can my third be? Well – for a laugh, my husband first asked me out in the SOUP aisle at the grocery store where we worked at the time. I remember it vividly – it was in aisle two. And the rest is history 😉

  40. Katie H. says:

    oh my gosh that is the SWEETEST photo of you and your husband. I love it! I hope that his grandmother recovers swiftly. I’ll be thinking of you guys!

  41. Aw I love hearing how couples meet. You both look great together 🙂

  42. My Husband and me met two years prior to offically meeting, he was my New Years Eve kiss in 2003! Fast forward two years, we re-met at a house warming party for one of my childhood neighbors. We started talking immediately when he walked in and then it hit me, that I had met him before! The rest is history! : )

  43. Mandy says:

    I am so sorry to hear about Peter’s grandmother. You gusy are in my prayers. And I love reading this story all over again <3

  44. Holly says:

    Your how we met story gave me goosebumps. I LOVED it.
    I totally can relate on that on & off ex thing- I thought it would NEVER end…and then I met the man of my dreams 🙂
    I swear they come in at the least anticipated moment..and then ‘bam!’ …that’s it- full blown L.O.V.E 😀 I love, love!

  45. Nichole says:

    LOVE that pic quote. Sometimes you need that in your head.
    Are you serious, you too are totally meant for each other. HOW sweet!

  46. Your story reminds me how I matched up my ex who is a dear friend now and a girl I knew through a friend. I set them up for a blind date and now they’re happily together! 🙂

  47. […] comfort as possible. Also, thank you for sharing your love or dating stories. I loved reading them! Check out the comments if you’re in a mood to say […]

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