For the final installment, Julie completed a romantic interview for me:
1. How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?
On our first date, Kevin said that we were going to get married. I thought he was crazy. Turns out, he was right.
2. When did you know he was the one?
We were on the side of the road with a flat tire. He was putting the spare tire on as the cars zoomed by on the interstate, and suddenly, I realized Kevin was the man I was going to marry. I knew that he was always going to be there for me. I said “I love you” the first time as he changed the tire on the side of the highway. Shortly after he changed the tire, and after sharing a few laughs we realized we had run the battery out of the truck. After calling the highway patrol to give us a jump start, we were back on the road, and I knew we were heading down the road to the rest of our lives. Probably not the most romantic setting, but it felt right.
3. What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
When we were newlyweds, we were both still in college and didn’t have much money for holidays. We started setting a $5 or $10 limit for gifts. One year for Christmas, he dug through all of my childhood pictures to find a wonderful photo of me and my dad, who passed away when I was thirteen. He enlarged it and bought a beautiful frame for it. We learned that the best gifts usually don’t cost much because it forces us to put a lot of thought into them, and we still carry on that tradition for some holidays. Last year for Mother’s Day, he took the home videos of our son, and edited them together to one of my favorite songs.
4. What’s the most romantic present you ever bought your spouse?
I was with my mother-in-law shopping, when we came across a figurine of a man looking down at a baby swaddled in his lap. We both noticed that the man looked like my husband. I knew that I had to get it and that I would give it to him to announce that I was pregnant. The problem was, we weren’t even ready to start trying to have a baby at the time. I swore my mother-in-law to secrecy and hid the little figure. About a year later, I was able to give Kevin the figurine, and he got to call his mom and tell her what he had just received.
5. Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
I love traveling with Kevin. It’s impossible not to have fun. We took a trip to New York City for our five- year anniversary, and it was amazing. We went to a Broadway show, had dinner in a wonderful restaurant in Little Italy, spent time in central park and toured Yankee stadium.
6. Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
Honolulu, Hawaii. This was one of my favorite trips to take with Kevin. Spending time in the market, lounging on the beach, snorkeling and eating at some great seafood restaurants were only a few of the highlights we shared on this trip. We’re planning to go back next summer for our 10 year anniversary. I can’t wait.
7. What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
It’s the little things that I love the most. On Saturday mornings, he gets up with our son and lets me sleep. I am a sucker for some extra sleep. Having a two-year old son keeps us busy. Kevin understands how much I pour into our family, and goes the extra mile to make me feel special. Those subtle gestures keep me going through some long days. Some Saturdays, he even cooks me breakfast or goes and gets my favorite coffee. I also love when Kevin shoots me a text during the day, just to tell me how much he loves me.
8. Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
“I Love You More Today Than Yesterday” by Spiral Staircase. We love to sing it anytime we hear it come on the oldies station. We first heard the song during a lengthy discussion we were having while driving to see family in Kentucky about how odd it is that we don’t have a song. The next thing you know this fun and cheesy song came on, and it seemed to fit us perfectly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j45ezAAeMDw&feature=related
Thanks Julie for sharing your story with us this week. Final day to win a copy of White Roses. Leave a comment by 8:00 PM.
Julie Jarnagin says
Thanks for having me!
Regina Merrick says
Julie, I love hearing about the journey to love with other couples! What wonderful memories you have to pass down, and I can tell you and Kevin are constantly making MORE memories! God Bless You!
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
Julie,
I enjoyed it.
Kevin says
Too much fun for one lifetime. Thanks for hosting this series. Sounds like I’m the lucky one.
Sheila Gerke says
What a sweet relationship- your ongoing love story must be a great testimony to those around you.
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
Julie & Kevin,
Thanks for sharing your story. I enjoyed it and I think readers did too.
Christi Abdelnour says
thanks for sharing story
Jessica says
IT sounds like you two have a really sweet relationship! Any tips on how I can inspire my husband to get up with the kiddos? *grin*
Hope you make it to Hawaii next year!
Summur Braley says
That is a sweet song:O) What a special life together that God has given you!!!!
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
Julie, thanks for sharing your sweet story this week. And thanks Kevin for stopping in also. No wonder Julie writes sweet romance.
And thanks for helping me give away a free book. This week’s winner of a copy of White Roses is Barbara J. Shelton.
Next week: Author Kimberly Woodhouse shares her real life romance and that of her fictional characters. And we’re giving away not one, but two books: Welcome Home: Our Family’s Journey to Extreme Joy and No Safe Haven.
Jan Cline says
Sweet story Julie. You two are lucky.
Terri Tffany says
Your life sounds so romantic!! He is so sweet!!!
T. Anne says
I’m taken aback at how romantic your lives are! Awesome!!! The song is sweet by the way. 😉