My Culture

Growing up, I was always a huge bookworm. I almost always had my nose buried in a book. Even though I lived in the same town for my whole life, I couldn't find my way around anywhere when I started to drive, because I had always read in the car. Even now, whenever I have free time, I spend it reading. Because of this, I am familiar with many books, and many different genres of books. I also am a stickler for grammar and spelling.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The part of the church that has always been most meaningful to me, is having latter-day prophets to reveal new truths to us.  Because of this, I consider this framed copy of the Proclamation to be a huge part of my culture. I read it frequently, and am so grateful to be a member of the church. It has also affect my culture in many ways, simply in that being LDS is a culture unto itself.

I love to cook. I have always felt more at home in the kitchen than anywhere else. Because I love to cook and bake, I  think that my kitchen aid was the best gift I have ever received. I spend a lot of time using it to try out new recipes, I then take the food to my neighbors.

Nothing really sums up a person's culture the way their family does. I love my family, and have always been so grateful to them. My family is not a typical Mormon family. My extended family has always lived very close to me, so I have grown up appreciating and wanting a large and close family like the one I grew up with. I also included a picture with my in-laws, because I feel that they are a large part of my culture. I learn more from each member of my family each time I speak with them, and they help me consider ideas I wouldn't on my own.

Dating after marriage

So, after you get married, you probably think first dates and the stress of dating is done right? All you have to do is go out and enjoy yourself with someone you already know you really like, and already likes you...WRONG!! What you have to do now is date for friends. Now what you have to do is couple date.

Couple dating is a little bit more stressful than regular dating for the following reasons:

• You only have control over your own actions--not your spouse's, and either could cost you a potential couple friendship.
• Not only do you have to like the other person and have them like you back, but you have to like 2 people, your spouse has to like them both, and they have to like both of you as well.
• It can be harder to motivate yourself to go on couple dates. 
• There aren't couple dating rules (you know, like the next day text, never say no to a first date, etc.) Some transfer over, but some don't.

Matt and I went on a couple date tonight. Luckily, it went fabulously...on our side. Fingers crossed that they enjoyed themselves as well. But that's what got us started thinking about this. We found ourselves getting a little bit nervous through the day, and it reminded us of getting ready for first dates back in the days before we found each other.

So, here's hoping happy dating for all the single people, and happy couple dating for all the married people!