Category: Countdown To My Brother’s Wedding (Page 2 of 4)

Just think, they once felt the same way as the kiddos!

Ronald Soliman / Delaware – United States
Source – Wedding Photojournalism

I’m pretty shy. Wait, I know what you are thinking. “Simone, you are the farthest thing from shy.” But in actuality, I am shy…when it comes to guys that I think I might like. I have a bad habit of ignoring them. I get all nervous, and can’t think straight, and can’t make coherent sentences. In other words, I lose all sense of normalcy. So, I resort to ignoring them in an effort to keep from saying anything stupid.

There are three simple things that I look for in a guy. But, they sure are hard to come by!
1. Tall
2. Loves Jesus
3. Volunteers
Number 1 is somewhat negotiable, but 2 and 3 most certainly are not. Of course, he has to be honest, hard working, love his family, etc. etc. but those are all things that I expect.

Here is a typical conversation that I might have with a guy that I have no interest in what so ever.

Conversation A
Simone: Good Morning, Titus! How are you?
Guy A: Good, Simone, how are you?

Simone: Well, thank you. Did you have a good weekend?
Guy A: I did, buy I didn’t do much watched the game, hung out with some friends, and went running. That’s about it.

Simone: Sounds like you had a good weekend! I went running too, but the heat made it pretty tough. I’m going to try and run earlier next weekend. Are you training for anything?
Guy A: Yes, the Marine Corp Marathon. I’ve run it a couple of years in a row.

Simone: Whoa! That’s awesome. I dream about doing a marathon one day, but I’m not there yet. Congratulations on setting that tremendous physical goal, Titus. It was good to talk to you. Have a good day!
Guy A: You too, Simone. See you later.

Now, for the conversation with the guy that I think I might like…but I have no idea because I’ve never had a decent conversation with him.

Conversation B

Guy B: Hi Simone! How are you?
Simone: Well, thank you.

Guy B: Did you have a good weekend?
Simone: Yes, thank you

Guy B: Oh, what did you do?
Simone: Nothing much, just hung around

Guy B: Well, that sounds nice. Have a good day, Simone
Simone: Thanks.

Why on Earth do I do this? If I could only get myself to have Conversation A with Guy B.

Yehuda Fishkind, a Certified Financial Analyst, came to my job last year to conduct a Financial Planning Seminar for new hires. At the beginning of the seminar, he explained that he was Jewish and that he was here to talk to us about money…so we should listen up. No argument on my part. After several intense hours of pouring over different retirement plans we took a break for lunch.

So, I seized the opportunity to get some one-on-one coaching for my tax situation. You see, I’ve lived in both Tennessee and Texas where the folks down there have the good sense not to have a state income tax. And, I never realized before what a difference not having a state income tax can make to the take home pay. I explained all this to Yehuda.

Yehuda: Are you investing the maximum pre-tax amount in your 401K?
Simone: Yes

Yehuda: Are you taking the deductions for your student loan interest?
Simone: Yes

Yehuda: Do you contribute to the Health Savings Account?
Simone: Yep

Yehuda: Hmmmm, You should get married.

I can’t remember how I responded to that, but I do remember thinking “Seriously, is that the best advice you can give me?”