This survey is a couples survey of sorts so the star of this one is our relationship! If you aren’t over the mushy love stuff yet, keep on scrollin’! Although, to be honest, I don’t think this is one of those mushy love surveys at all but more of a “he or she” style survey! Anyway, if it’s your cup of tea and you’re in a relationship, I’d love for you to play along in the comments section of this post if you’re interested in sharing more about you and your loved one!
A Survey About Us
How did you meet? The short version of the story: We met at the UCF gym my freshman year of college at an intramural dodgeball game.
First date? The Cheesecake Factory at the Mall at Millenia in Orlando on February 1, 2004
How long have you been together? 17 years!
Age difference? Just over 1.5 years
Who was interested first? Ryan… but I immediately thought he was a super hottie
Who is taller? Ryan — He’s 6’2” and I’m almost 5’8”
Who said I love you first? Ryan! It caught me off guard and I said, “I think I love you, too.” Ha! But by the end of the day I dropped the “think.”
Most impatient? Ryan
Most sensitive? Me
Loudest? Me
Most stubborn? Me
Who falls asleep first? Ryan
Who is the better cook? Me
Better morning person? We are both morning people but I’ll give this one to Ryan because he needs like zero minutes to ease into the day.
Better driver? Ryan. Our driving records would agree.
Most competitive? Ryan for sure. I am like the least competitive person in the world… except when it comes to game nights.
Who is the funniest? I think we would both say the other person.
Where do you eat out most as a couple? Ha! What a question in 2021. I would just like to go out to eat anywhere these days! Our local favorite is Kindred in Davidson for date nights but we get takeout the most from Fresh Chef, another local spot.
Who is more social? Me
Who is the neat freak? We are super similar in this area and it’s kind of nice. We say we perpetually keep our house “10 minutes away from clean” so if someone is going to come by, please give us 10 minutes to speed-clean, thanks!
How long did it take to get serious? A few months. I was still in a long-distance relationship with my high school boyfriend when we met (I was super open and honest about this with both guys!) so it took a while for me to really figure things out.
Who plans date night? We both do! I think we both genuinely enjoy thinking of new things to do and see together. I am looking forward to taking turns planning a date night for the other person every other month again once the world goes back to normal.
Who picks where you go to dinner? In general, I’m the one who usually rules out places but Ryan is the one who usually suggests places so kind of both of us? But probably mostly him since he’s generally the one who wants to eat out.
Who is the first one to admit when they’re wrong? Ryan. He’s wonderful about this and it’s something I value a lot about his personality and character.
Who has more tattoos? We’re both tattoo-free.
Did you go to the same school? We met in college at UCF in Orlando!
Where is the farthest you two have traveled? Hawaii or Ireland! They’re both just over 4,000 miles away so it’s a toss up.
Who drives when you are together? Ryan. I get so annoyed with his car commentary so it’s better for our relationship this way.
Question of the Day
Choose a few and tell me a little bit about you and your loved one!
- How did you meet?
- What is your age difference?
- Who was interested first?
- Loudest?
- Most stubborn?
- Cleanest?
- Most social?
- Farthest you’ve traveled together?
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How did you meet? My husband James and I met because we both applied for the same teaching job at a Christian school in our city. He got the job and I was hired at a local public high school. People pointed us out to each other at Sunday School weeks later.
What is your age difference? 8 months (James is older)
Who was interested first? I think James, but it was mostly mutual. He is so easy to talk to.
Loudest? Me
Most stubborn? Me
Cleanest? Me. Although we are both neat freaks.
Most social? Me
Farthest you have traveled together? We have each traveled to England and France, but not together. I think the farthest we have been is Kentucky each year to visit his sister and brother-in-law.
Your how we met story is so cool!!
My husband and I also met while at UCF 🥰 We live in Chicago now but our families still live in FL! There are definitely days (like this week when we got another 16 inches of snow!) that I miss living in Orlando!
Aw when did you guys go there?! And I loved growing up just outside of Chicago but absolutely remember the brutal winters well — hope you’re staying warm!!
We were at UCF from 2010-2014! I started reading your blog somewhere in that time frame – maybe 2011?
I’m super ready for spring to arrive or for the pandemic to cool down so we can visit FL for some sunshine! I hope you and your sweet little family continue to have a safe and healthy 2021!
My husband and I met at the bar I was working at, 3 weeks before I was moving across the country! A week later, I decided to stay! 💜
I love this!! It feels like a great throwback to, idk, 2013?!
How did you meet?
High school sweethearts 🙂
What is your age difference?
I am 7 days older!
Who was interested first?
He was… then I was… then we both were! Took 3 years of friendship and each of us liking the other at the wrong time. 9 years later it all worked out 😉
Loudest?
Him
Most stubborn?
Me
Cleanest?
Me
Most social?
Him
Farthest you’ve traveled together?
Europe!
High school sweethearts! That’s amazing!!!
How did you meet?
Actually we met on FB. I had posted in a buy nothing group looking for an item and he had it and offered it to me. We kept talking more and more often and started dating 3 months later. Been together for 5 months now and it’s the best relationship I’ve evert been in! (And I’m 40 lol he’s a keeper!!)
What is your age difference? He’s 5 months older
Who was interested first? He was
Loudest? Me!
Most stubborn? Me!
Cleanest? Me
Most social? Him – he gets to go into the office to work. I’m working from home.
Farthest you’ve traveled together? We haven’t yet except to the cottage, but we have a list of places to go once it’s safe.
LOVE your how we met story and REALLY love that this is the best relationship you’ve ever been in — sounds wonderful and wishing you two continued happiness together!! <3
Love this!
How did you meet? College through mutual friends!
Age difference? 3.5, I was a sophomore and he was a super senior (almost impossible to get out in 4 years at our university)
Who was interested first? Him, he claims he was flirting with me, but I actually thought he was interested in my best friend haha
How long have we been together? Since we started dating 10 years, married 4 years
On a different note I recently read your marriage after kids post and it’s been very helpful since we had our first kid on things to consider like not keeping score, letting each other know when we are feeling off, etc. Thanks!
How did you meet? Bumble. I downloaded Bumble BFF to find friends and felt sooo weird choosing girl friends based on (essentially) how they look, so I flipped to Bumble Date since appearance does factor into romantic relationships. I went on a date so bad the night before our first date that I almost canceled. Very glad I didn’t. I texted my best friend to tell her I loved him after about 3 hours, which was perhaps a little premature, but we moved in together after less than a year, got engaged after less than 2, and are getting married on May 1.
What is your age difference? He’s 4 years older.
Who was interested first? I guess simultaneously, but I was serious first. He left for Basic training 2.5 weeks after we met and I was the one who suggested/insisted we remain exclusive while he was away.
Loudest? Him.
Most stubborn? It can be either of us, but is probably more frequently me.
Cleanest? Me.
Most social? Me.
Farthest you’ve traveled together? Charleston, SC. We’ll be able to travel together more when he’s out of the military. 🙂
How did you meet?
We both went to Mizzou but didn’t officially meet until we were in Crested Butte on a ski trip I planned (he’s my brothers friend)
What is your age difference?
I’m older by 2.4 years
Who was interested first?
Ben, he was “friend zoned” for a few years. I had a boyfriend when we first met.
Loudest?
Me
Most stubborn?
Me
Cleanest?
If you mean a clear floor, Ben but if you are talking actually clean like vacuum and wiping down counters that’s me.
Most social?
Both
Farthest you’ve traveled together?
New Zealand and it was also the longest flight ever since it was on miles (stl-sfo-lax-icn-bkk-auk) and it was 35 hours not including layovers! Plus we lost a day due to the time difference
So random but I LOVED Mizzou and almost went there for college! I initially wanted to study journalism and they have a fantastic journalism program and I loved every second of my school tour there.
haha how random!! They do have a fantastic journalism program, I would say 90% of my out of state friends came for the journalism program! I’m originally from St. Louis (currently in Denver), so it was the school everyone went to and therefore it was my backup, but when I went to visit, I fell in love with all the traditions they have, plus it’s definitely a college town that’s centered around the school!
I love this! My husband and I met on Nov. 5, 2005…I was technically on a second date with one of his friends…oops! In my defense, I had already told the friend that I just wanted to be friends. It all worked out! Funny enough, the friend ended up marrying a Sara who is a photographer, like me! So funny! And they used our girl name (my husband and I have two boys!)
We went to Aruba three times, to England, St. Thomas, and the Grand Caymans before having kids. We got engaged in St. Thomas and my husband proposed with a fake diamond ring! (A long, funny story!) My ring now looks exactly the same, but has a real diamond!
Aww I love this. I’ve been following since just before you were married and it’s been so sweet to see your relationship continue to grow over the years! (also this is very random but I thought you were taller? haha — I’m 5’10” so when you said you were ‘tall’ I adjusted to what is tall for me lol)
How fun! I love reading and filling out these.
How did you meet? First time we ‘met’ was when we were partnered together in 9th grade Spanish class. I had a boyfriend at the time so it wasn’t for 1.5 years later that we actually got together. 11/18/2001.
What is your age difference? 5 days : )
Who was interested first? We both were, but I already had a boyfriend and didn’t want to hurt his feelings…
Loudest? really neither of us
Most stubborn? both of us
Cleanest? me!
Most social? definitely not me
Farthest you’ve traveled together? We’re home bodies, but probably western coast of Mexico.
I miss the old blogging days sometimes. Great post!
How did you meet? SUNY Buffalo in differential equations math class (side note: my parents met at this same school, but in a grad school math class lol)
Farthest you’ve traveled together? Australia and New Zealand. We actually both left our jobs and booked a one way flight to Sydney. We ended up backpacking around Australia and New Zealand for 3 months. Most incredible thing we have ever done!
My husband had only been on a plane a handful of times before he met me. I think I gave him the travel bug and can’t wait until it’s safe to travel again.
Okay that travel story is AMAZING!!!! New Zealand and Australia are both on our bucket list!
This is so fun!! Loved reading your answers!
How did you meet? My random summer roommate who was subletting in my apartment invited him over to our house and we just got to talking and I gave him a popsicle out of our fridge because I was 20 haha
What is your age difference? 3.5 years, he just turned 34 and I’m 30.
Who was interested first? definitely him. I was trying to get over my previous boyfriend and was still pretty hung up
Loudest? DEFINITELY ME
Most stubborn? probably him, but we both are
Cleanest? me
Most social? me
Farthest you’ve traveled together? hmmm I think probably Madrid as it’s about 4000 miles too!
We met in the military. I was trained as an Army combat medic, and nurse. My favorite duty station was Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Wash.D.C. My husband started his military career as a teenaged Corpsman in Vietnam, and finished as a Chief Master Sergeant. in the Iraq/Afghanistan wars. We met by happenstance when we both decided to try the Air Force. His first day, he came into my office to meet the people in my section. I looked at him, and a voice in my head said, “This man will be important in your life.” (I know, it sounds crazy, doesn’t it?) We just clicked instantaneously, and went on to fly aeromedical evacuation missions together. Our first date was during an overnight stay in Spain.
He is 9 years older than I. I am the loudest, and most stubborn. We tie for clean, but he is a bit more organized than I tend to be. : ) We also tie for most social. The farthest we’ve traveled together? Hm, I’d have to say Europe.
How did you meet? We met at work
What is your age difference? 1 am 2 years older
Who was interested first? Hard to tell – We both acted interested but I had a lot going on in my personal life (I was remodeling my house and training to hike Mt Rainier) and at work (a project that had me working 12 hour days for 11 months) so I needed to wait until all those things were done in order to have time for a new relationship. Once we started dating we were both in pretty quickly (I was 32 and he was 30) are were engaged 18 months later.
Loudest? We both will say the other is – WFH for a year shows that we both have very loud “Zoom voices”
Most stubborn? Me
Cleanest? Him – I like to say I am neat, not clean. His OCD doesn’t allow for the areas that he cares about to get dirty, but some things he won’t clean (hence me cleaning the tub 9 months pregnant so it would be clean for laboring at home)
Most social? Him – I was very social in my 20s but just got kind of burnt out making plans, having plans fall through, trying to re-schedule. Once every one started having kids it seems that much harder, so I am more apt to be a homebody unless someone else plans something.
Farthest you’ve traveled together? Hawaii, but we drove from Massachusetts to Tennessee within the first year of dating so we like to say that was a good test for our relationship (that and remodeling a bathroom).
Love this topic!
How did you meet? We met through a friend of ours, in a bar. We actually met twice in the same bar and I was on a date both times (with 2 different people). Eventually I met him weeks later at my friend’s apartment (he was moving in as her roommate) and then we hit it off over some drinks. Oh and don’t read into the roommate thing, they really were only friends.
What is your age difference? He is 1 month older
Who was interested first? We were both interested from the beginning I think, but I most definitely made the first move!
Loudest? He is!
Most stubborn? We are equally stubborn which makes arguments fun around here lol.
Cleanest? Me for sure. His idea of cleaning is so different than mine.
Most social? Him by far!
Farthest you’ve traveled together? Aruba for our Honeymoon.
So fun!
How did you meet? Technically at church, but his mom had been talking him up for months before he moved to where we lived. I wasn’t really interested in being set up with him, so I just would kind of nod along when she talked about him. About a month before he moved to our area, I went out on a total disaster of a date with another guy, so after that I was a bit more interested. Anything had to be better than the other guy. We met at church, he asked me out later that week, and 26 years later we are married with 2 young adult sons and a teenage daughter.
I like the 10 minutes to clean concept! I think I’m going to try to implement that in our house! The clutter happens so fast!
How did you meet? The Receptionist at my office set us up. He was a vendor who came in 2 times a week and I mentioned to her that I thought he was cute.
What is your age difference? just about 2.5 years
Who was interested first? We both thought the other was attractive, he initiated the first date
Loudest? Me
Most stubborn? Me
Cleanest? Me
Most social? Depends. I can talk to anyone about anything. He is excellent at daily communication with his inner circle of friends. My inner circle gets a monthly life update, a weekly text if lucky!
Farthest you’ve traveled together? We went on a Caribbean Cruise and travelled to Las Vegas from Western NY.
Hi!
First off we have the same dating anniversary which I just figured out this year and I love!
How did you meet? In high school and a music camp we both attended. We were friends for years (about 12-13) before we actually started dating. He likes to tell me, “Hey we could be celebrating our 12 year anniversary ya know,” and I go, “Hey, it still happened so take the win.” Ha!
What is your age difference? 1 year. I’m older. 🙂
Who was interested first? Him.
Loudest? We’d probably say each other.
Most stubborn? Probably him. He likes thing a very particular way.
Cleanest? Both of us. We like things pretty orderly and have the same clutter tendencies which is nice.
Most social? DEFINITELY me. He’d stay in forever if he could. He’s enjoyed not being able to do social events due to the pandemic. 😉
Farthest you’ve traveled together? Florida! He has family that lives in Melbourne and we visited last summer.
Wasn’t there a section of this post where Ryan posted his response? I read your’s that day and had to run to a meeting and just remembered tonight I hadn’t finished 😮 so I returned and now can’t see it in the post. At least tell me I didn’t imagine it 🤪
Hi Michelle! I think maybe you’re thinking of the blog post I linked to within this post? This one perhaps? –> https://www.pbfingers.com/celebrating-14-years-14-things-you-might-not-expect/