Who You Love

Each year end, I have dutifully cleaned out and properly stored my paper files to prepare for a new year. But now, at this age, I throw away more than I save – de-cluttering, freeing myself, letting go of baggage.

Over Christmas break, I found a note I wrote to my husband from January 1998 and our answers – papers I’m so glad I saved.

What might you learn about your partner if you were to ask this?

“Hi –With no explanation, I’d like to play a sort of game with you. At first, I thought we could do it face to face so you could give your quick answers – you know, a word association type of thing. As I came up with the questions, I decided it would be better for each of us to answer on paper, giving this some thought, separately. Then we can talk about our answers together afterward…maybe over a nice dinner and definitely alone! It’s a way of getting to know one another….again.”

Our sons were 7 and 3 at that time, a time I likely felt getting re-aquainted was needed. Perhaps now that they’re 22 and 18, it’s time for us again for 2014…

• What’s your favorite sound?

• What sound do you hate?

• If you could be anything, what would you be?

• If you could spend an evening with anyone (famous, historical, deceased), who would it be and why?

• What is your favorite smell?

• What smell do you loathe?

• If you could give your children one thing, what would it be?

• What do you like to do most?

• What do you hate to do?

• What is your pet peeve?

• If you could solve one of the world’s problems, what would you tackle?

• What is “God” to you?

• What relaxes you?

• What’s your all time favorite movie?

• What is your guiding force or principle?

• If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

• What is a good marriage to you?

• What is your largest worry?

• What is your greatest fear?

• What past experience brought you the most joy?

• What was your dream when you were sixteen?

• What is your dream now?

• What is your favorite color?

• Your least favorite?

• What traits would your ideal partner possess?

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

• What do you like most about yourself?

• What do you think is the most admirable quality a person could possess?

• What is the characteristic you despise most in others?

• What is missing in your life?

• What are you thankful for?

Here’s to loving the ones we love, to resolutions, to starting anew each January 1.

Photo: Spring Point Light and Little Diamond Island