How well do you know your mate?

[altivo]

From shadowtxhorse:


How well do you know YOUR mate? Follow the questionaire to find out!

1. Your mate's name (I do hope you know). - Gary Francis, and Precious online (and from his leather days...)

2. His/Her age. - 53 (2.5 years younger than I am)

3. Type of vehicle they drive. - Ford Focus wagon

4. Your mate's favorite food. - almost anything Polish, or maybe my homemade pizza

5. Your mate's favorite band. - I don't think he has one favorite, but they're all Celtic groups and modern folk artists

6. Your mate's favorite tv show. - Neither of us watches TV at all. He used to like Dr Who back in the Tom Baker years

7. Your mate's favorite fetish. - he'd be embarrassed if I said

8. What about you does your mate love the most? - good question, maybe I'll ask

9. What is the date you and your mate agreed to be an official couple? Hard to pin down to one date. We met online in the winter of 1982, in person in June of that year, I moved in across the hall from him the next spring (83) and we bought our first house together in December of 1984. Generally we consider June 30, 1982 to be the anniversary date (23 years and counting!)

10. Name one interesting fact about your mate. - He can do very professional stained glass work

Here comes the stuff to say "Aww" to!

11. How did you fall in love with him/her? - I wasn't sure until we spent a June night on the roof watching a lunar eclipse and snuggling. A man who can cuddle without immediately rushing for more is a man I can love.

12. What about your mate do you love the most? - His patience.

13. Would you give up your life so your mate could live? - If necessary, yes.

14. If your mate was injured or sick in the hospital, and only has a week to live, would you spend day after day by their side till they passed away? - No question, but please the gods I'll never have to go through that.

And lastly!

15. If you could describe your feelings for your mate in one sentence, what would you say? - I couldn't possibly be as happy and relaxed as I am today if it were not for him, and together we have done what neither of us could achieve alone.

Comments

[niko-winterset.livejournal.com]

*smiles* It is nice to see another couple who have lasted a long time. I think we are a rare breed these days.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Not as rare as that. The problem is that stable couples tend to drop out of sight. You won't find us in popular clubs or places like that. We number among our friends several other pairs who have been together as long, or longer than we have. And we haven't gone hunting for them. They are folks we knew back when we were in our 20s and all have settled into stable pairs.

[lobowolf.livejournal.com]

Wow...23 years! ^_^

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, and I won't crack any jokes about how "it feels like a century." We just fit together nicely, in agreement on some things, complementary on others, or supplementary. An important key is giving each other space. We don't do absolutely everything together. Each of us has some interests that the other doesn't share, and we encourage each other to pursue them.

[lobowolf.livejournal.com]

Well, and that sounds exactly like how to go about a lasting mateship. Being together is important, but it doesn't mean that you have to share every interest, and it's very important to have personal space in order to retain one's own individual identity. Sounds like a winning combination to me ;0)

[marzolan.livejournal.com]

Awwws! I love the romantic stories like that ^^ 'Tivo is a blessed plushie.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

In many ways, yes. And the blessing of my newer online friends is very important to me too. :)

[marzolan.livejournal.com]

*smiles, a bit pink under the fur* Im proud to have you as a friend 'Tivo.

[kamodragon.livejournal.com]

That is incredibly wonderful to hear... helps my hopes for a good mate to stay afloat. Staind Glass... I may have to bribe him into commissions for me if he would be willing :P

[altivo.livejournal.com]

He hasn't done anything major in a number of years, mostly because he hasn't set up a workspace here on the farm. But he still has the tools and the skills. I keep trying to get him to put up a web page with some pictures. His largest job was a commission for eight 3 by 4 foot panels representing different operas. They went into a very pricy restaurant in Chicago and were prizes in the decor for more than a decade. He does have photos, fortunately, because the restaurant owner passed away and the place was sold. We don't know what became of the windows.

[kamodragon.livejournal.com]

Wow, thats incredible to contribute to the history of Chicago! Its amazing how many things we pass up on a day to day basis... I know I would notice the stained glass in a restraunt and just wonder who and when it was made...

[altivo.livejournal.com]

They were all clearly signed, but "Mood Studios, Chicago" and the year probably didn't tell people much. :)

[fandt4.livejournal.com]

I actually did go "Aww" one time. On the last one. It's a very "aww" sentence, I couldn't stifle it. Good bond there. :)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Heh. Just a description of a good basis for a relationship. ^_~

Sex alone will NOT last that long.

[cnipur.livejournal.com]

This is so touching.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Something for you to look forward to. :)

[chibiabos.livejournal.com]

Touching, but why does this questionnaire seem to try and challenge just the online-only 'mates'? heh. I guess that's considered the 'norm' anymore and real life long-lasting relationships such as yours the exception ...

[niko-winterset.livejournal.com]

I would not say the exception but certainly rare. Kevin and I are well on our way and will be celebrating 14 years together this year.

Storm

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Because it's an online questionnaire? ;P

[heavens-steed.livejournal.com]

I admire anyone who has maintained a relationship for as long as you have. The love you and your mate have for each other is most touching. I envy you for having such a rare and wonderful relationship and yet I am also very happy for you at the same time.

*hugs you warmly*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

You, colt, have the potential for the same. I know you don't think so, but if you listen to us and hold your head up so others can see the beauty within you, it will happen. The values you hold so dear are good ones on which to build a solid base, once you learn to apply them in the real world rather than as absolute mathematical concepts. :)

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I was /dying/ to get a Ford Focus wagon recently but no dice.

Polish food? You know what they say about that...your still
hungry 72 hours later...

Dr. Who? Of course! And beyond say SG-1 or History Channel theres
not really much on that one could watch is there? c.c

Celtic stuff is goodly. Though I still tend to like making Rush
loud enough that blood shoots from my ears.

Stained Glass and Paitence. Hmm...I see a pattern here. ^.^

Sounds like a goodly sort.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

He had an Escort wagon before that and drove it until it was literally falling apart. We added the repair bills to the fuel bills for a year and it came out that he might just as well buy a new car, so he did.

[pioneer11.livejournal.com]

Well enough to stay out of her way before coffee.

@.@

Bear

[goldenstallion.livejournal.com]

Hi, handsome Rider.

Well, Bear and me... we seem to be doing amazingly well sticking together. Seven years now and going.

The main thing I have noticed is we 'fight' or squabble less than either of us remember our parents doing, which was not a lot.

We each give the other his space and, although we share few common interests, we do let the other enjoy what he likes and give support as much as possible. He is not into model building, for example, but does not mind my hobbies and that most of the downstairs 'den' area is taken up almost totally buy my stuff.

He is not into inflatables but lets me play whenever I am in that mood and will even go someplace if need be to give me privacy.

I am not into restaurants nor movies much but often take him to them or go with him because I know how much he likes it.

Stuff like that.

Similar dreams help too.

Your loyal and loving mount, Imperator

Re: Bear

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I hope the chances of serious squabbles have been reduced since you got your real estate arrangements fixed. :) On the whole, yea, the two of you are doing well I think.