My name is Teresa Russell and I am married to my high school sweetheart. We started dating when I was 15 and married when I was still a senior in high school. We have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren who are the lights of our lives. One of the things I am most proud of in my life is the fact that despite all the statistics and odds of still being married to your high school sweetheart, we will celebrate 38 years of marriage this March. I recently took a leave of absence from my 17 year teaching career to become a Stay at Home Wife and get back to the business of taking care of my man and our home. We enjoy just being together each and every day. Since staying home I have now had the time to devote to really doing some things I love to do. I began a new blog to chronicle my journey. My blog is Fresh and Renewed and I love to write about my crafting adventures, adventures with my grandchildren, and especially adventures that include baking and cooking! I love to bake and cook for my husband, you can find weekly menu posts on my blog also. Our life is pretty laid back and relax and for the most part we are very family oriented home-bodies! And I absolutely love my life!
How did you meet?
We met when I was 15. I had just moved to Florida from North Carolina and my parents bought a house in a subdivision that backed up to the dirt road that led to his house. Knowing that there were teenaged boys who came and went on that dirt road my younger sister, a friend, and I started hanging out in my back yard a lot. Especially, in the very back of it close to the dirt road. J It did not take long for my husband (in his 57 Chevy, along with his best friend) to stop and chat with us. After a few months of this and getting to know each other he asked me to go steady with him.
What did you do on your first date?
He asked me to go out on a date with him a few nights later. We went out with my husband’s older sister and her husband. We went out to a restaurant and I spilled a jumbo tea right into my lap. I was very embarrassed but my hubby took it in stride. Going on dates with his sister or spending time at another sister’s house quickly became the norm during our dating life. You see my husband is the baby of seven children and his brother and sisters doted on him. There is a huge gap between him and the next oldest sister. So, we hung out with his sisters and their families quite frequently.
What’s the best romantic getaway you’ve been on?
I don’t know why but we never went away until we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We had the absolute best time…having never been away from our children we took full advantage and enjoyed the beautiful white sandy beaches of the western coast of Florida. Romantic dinners, long walks on the beach what more could a woman in love ask for?
After our children were grown and out of the nest, we went to the mountains and spent the weekend at a bed and breakfast inn…we were able to go to a country fair and walk around. We just totally enjoy getting away and relaxing, going to fairs or festivals and being away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
What would the ultimate romantic getaway be?
The ultimate romantic getaway that both of us would enjoy would be to stay at a bed and breakfast on the beach. It would have to be on a western coast somewhere though cause we enjoy long walks down the shore while watching the sunset.
What are your songs or favorite albums that make you think of each other?
My husband is a huge George Strait fan…the one song of his that makes me think of my husband is “I Cross My Heart” because the lyrics say it all…that is all we mean to each other. My favorite line in the song…’In all the world you’ll never find a love as true as mine.‘ And that love has been true now for almost 38 years!
If you were to make a special dinner for him, what would you make?
I would make Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and an apple pie. He is a meat and potatoes man and loves good ‘ole country cooking. Meatloaf is his favorite meal. I tried a new recipe for meatloaf just last week and he really loved it.
Favorite Meatloaf
1 (10.75 ounce) can Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 (2.8 ounce) can French’s® French Fried Onions (I used Cheddar ones cause that is what I had on hand)
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions:
1. Thoroughly mix 1/2 cup soup, beef, 1/2 can onions, egg and Worcestershire in a large bowl. Place the mixture in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan and firmly shape into an 8 x 4-inch loaf. Spoon the remaining soup over the meat loaf.
2. Bake at 400 degrees F for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Sprinkle the remaining onions over the meat loaf and bake for 3 minutes or until the onions are golden.
What’s the coolest gift you ever bought him?
The coolest gift I ever bought him was a few Christmases ago. When we got married we had matching wedding bands. They were quite unique as they had open hearts engraved into the band. Well, he lost his a few years into our marriage. So, a few years ago I set out to try and find a matching one. I went to a local jeweler and they allowed me to search their catalogue. I found one almost identical. Imagine, my husband’s surprise when he opened that gift on Christmas morning. I was totally thrilled and he loved that I had persevered to find one that looked similar.
What is/are your favorite gift(s) that he bought for you?
When I graduated from college (after 18 years of marriage) he surprised me with a sapphire/diamond heart necklace. It was quite a splurge because we had struggled to make ends meet while I was in college. That is one special piece of jewelry to me!
Finish this sentence, ‘It makes me laugh when my husband…’
Drives! He gets behind the wheel of a car and he totally zones out and becomes another person. When getting on the interstate on an on-ramp I often tease him that he becomes “Mario Andretti” because he floors it and takes off. His response, “Well you have to get up to the same speed as the flow of traffic!”
What are some every day ways that you show love for each other?
He always kisses me good-bye in the mornings, even if I am dead asleep…and I put a napkin note in his lunch box every single day! Most of the time though I get up each morning at 5:30 AM just to make his coffee and sit with him a short while before he is off to work. As a stay at home wife I show my love for him by making his home a place that is warm and inviting for him to come home to each and every day. One huge way I do that is no matter what I make sure I am there when it is time for him to get home from work.
If you could give your husband anything, what would it be?
I would love to give me husband a gift of a getaway to a hunting lodge for a paid hunt. He is an avid hunter that loves to hunt but is unable to get away and do that due to finances. Maybe one day though!
What cologne do you love your husband to wear?
I love a rugged smelling man! He wears many different types of colognes but my favorite is when he wears Stetson. It is so rugged smelling! And combined with the following answer I just LOVE when he has both!
Finish this sentence, ‘My husband is especially attractive when…’
He dresses up in his jeans, cowboy boots, and George Strait shirt! As I said, I love a rugged man! We don’t dress up often but when we do I soooo want him to be comfortable and handsome as ever in his western attire!
Finish this sentence, ‘I love my marriage, because…’
We got married when I was a senior in high school and there were many people who did not believe that we would stay married. I totally believe in commitments and when I committed my life to this man 38 years ago next month I really meant till death do us part! So, it is the one accomplishment in my life I am most proud of!
On an ending note, I want to leave one little story about this wonderful man of mine. After a 17 year teaching career that ended with the last year being an extremely stressful year I was totally burnt out and spent. After discussing it with my husband we both decided that we would try out me being a stay at home wife. So with a slight shift in our lifestyle we are totally managing with me staying home and taking care of our home front and him. Both of us are so much happier. I truly feel blessed to have such an amazing, loving, and supportive man who loves me so much!
~ Teresa
Rach says
Such a refreshing story and lifestyle. Thank you for sharing it.