I spent last weekend looking for our wedding pictures…..after I wrote this post.
I looked everywhere.
In the closets and under beds and in the window seat and upstairs.
And somewhere in the midst of searching through the 45th box full of absolute nonsense in our attic…..my husband wandered in.
I stood up….with my hands full of pine cones and a piece of train track….and looked expectantly at him.
He quietly surveyed the complete and utter destruction that was currently our attic and asked calmly, “Are you looking for something?”
I sighed.
“Have you seen the wedding pictures?” I asked him. “And did you know that we forgot to put out the wire tree at Christmas and when we were in high school did you keep your graduation gown?”
He paused….and before he could answer……I quickly interrupted with, “Oh….and do you think we should replace the shutters on the front of the house?”
He stared at me for a moment
And then he grinned my favorite grin.
The one that starts in the middle and ends with a dimple.
I would walk a mile uphill backwards in the snow for that grin.
He laughed and said, “Do you know you’re just like a Venn diagram?”
A Venn diagram?
I didn’t say anything for just a moment….mostly because I wasn’t even sure what a Venn diagram was….and if being compared to a Venn diagram was something you should be happy about.
“You know” he said laughing, “a Venn diagram.”
“You are circle after circle of activity. Each circle inside of another….all connecting to each other. All your circles are different…..full of different information.
But somehow….you make it all make sense.”
And right there…..in the middle of a dusty attic….holding an armful of pine cones and a piece of train track….surrounded by 45 boxes of nonsense….
….being compared to a Venn diagram was the most romantic thing I had ever heard.
I dropped the pine cones.
And ran to him.
Well….actually….I trampled over some boxes and a lion costume and a fainting couch to leap into his arms.
“I love you.” I said. “You are amazing. I think you’re a Venn diagram, too.”
He hugged me and laughed out loud.
“No I’m not,” he said.
“I’m a spreadsheet. ” 🙂
PS If you want to read about the first date I ever had with my spreadsheet….click here.
PPS If you want to read one of my favorite posts I have ever written about love and Lee Press On Nails….click here.
LOVE the pictures!! Thanks for sharing! Isn't it amazing how young we looked way back when, but thought we were so worldly and sophisticated? funny
So sweet! You two are an adorable couple! Great story!
LOL....this is such a sweet post...the pics are so great! I've had a few Venn Diagram moments with my husband...last fall at the Country Living Fair he turned to me, after I bought a print of an red Indian motorcycle, and said that he loved that I buy random things. It's probably one of those "you had to be there" to understand but I thought it was sweet. Hope you are doing well! Christine
Oh well now that was adorable! Probably the perfect way to describe my husband and I as well, though he would never think of it. I think, from the angle in the 2nd photo, and only the 2nd photo, your husband looks a bit like James Van DerBeek. :)
Wait, that should have been "my husband and ME" - hate when that happens. I'll blame it on the fact it's 3:23 a.m. and I can't sleep.
That is totally charming. Don't you love it when they say the exact right thing? Especially when you're not expecting it? There is such wonder in life when you have a charming romance going. Have a lovely day, dear woman. I'm off by myself to play with my sister and go to a wedding of a dear friend getting her life right this weekend. Hopefully I'll have some good stories to tell when I get back. Marian
Do you know how much fun it is for me to read your Thistlewood news each day? In fact, I find myself looking forward to it in the morning. It makes me smile more than the news on the Fox News does:) You and your husband are a good looking couple ! But better than that, you guys know how to add fun to the ordinary days of life, in your own unique "venn" way. Thanks for sharing your blog with all of us.
Brought nothing by smiles to my morning! : ) You two are truly a match made in heaven!!!! hugs...
Such sweet photos. Aren't wedding photos the best? They portray a new beginning. Your husband is a keeper, I'd say!
So ... so ... sweet! You two are a match made in Heaven. You two look so happy and beautiful in your wedding photos.
That is such a cute story. I love hearing stories of couples that are happy in love, just like my husband and me.
Look how cute y'all are! (My husband is a spreadsheet, too!)
He gets you! I love that.
A Venn Diagram and a spreadsheet. Somehow I see you turning that into a craft project. Another circle complete--when I was reading the Dear Abby post I was sure we would see a picture of you in your wedding dress and that glorious red lipstick. I mean, I just had to see! Well, now we have. And you pulled it off marvelously! You look like Lana Turner! You truly are a Venn Diagram! And where did you finally find the pictures?
Look how cute your two are!! Don't you just glow with your red lipstick! ;) Hmmm...I off to as my sweetie if I'm a Venn Diagram too. I think I know the answer....you do too! You are Extraordinary! P.S. Might be handy to have a fainting couch in the attic... [wink wink]
Awww.....your wedding pictures are absolutely precious! My 22 year old daughter is getting married in Oct. and I can't wait til I'm able to share your post today with her... as the guy she's marrying is also known and referred to her spreadsheet.....and she dreams of someday starting her own blog! Thanks for sharing a piece of your wonderful life with us!!!
A happy way to start my day. I really love your posts. So glad you found the photos and your spreadsheet :)
I just laughed... My prince and I have been married for 20 yrs... Got married when I was 22...and some days it feels like we are still those babies starting out....thank you for teaching your kids how marriage really works...it's the day to day...it's loving our quirks...you are a gift... Kathryn
I knew exactly where this was going when I saw the reference to Venn diagram. He hit the nail on the head. And, might I say you are a perfect example of how the concept practices perfectly. Even more perfect that your Venn and his spreadsheet support so well. What year did you get married? You two look great.
What a beautiful bride you were! And you had a handsome groom too;) I take it you found your pics? They should proudly displayed girl!! ~Kim
Just when I think you've written your best blog, a better one shows up! You, my dear, are an amazing writer!
Gosh. That's so strange seeing my name up there so many times. :-)
What an adorable story! I felt like I was standing to the side in your attic, watching the whole scene unfold...and I do know what a Venn diagram is, and use them ALL the time in my classroom, and I would say that hubs of yours was giving you a big compliment. Must admit to being a bit jealous....
Who woulda thunk I'd ever have to call up a Venn diagram from my memory bank -- and I thought I'd never have to use that "junk" again! Can I come over for coffee one day? We've got a crapload in common! :)
I have never heard of a Venn diagram either, but he hit the nail on the head with that description of you! I'd love a little glimpse inside your gorgeous brain. It must be like Grand Central Station in there. Love the pictures! You guys are SO SO cute!!
I was thrilled to see your wedding pictures. You are so pretty and spreadsheet is a hunka,hunka. Love all your post. God Bless Nancy
Have you ever considered a career in writing? Seriously. You are hysterical! Great story!
I thought she did have a career in writing ( a blog)? :) I can feel the love in the photos and in the story!
It's like you live in my house. That conversation is adorable and completely relatable. I love it and the pictures;)
Awww, I actually teared up reading this! So very sweet! I loved seeing these pics. Your dress is beautiful and modest, I love it. So rare these days! I got married in '95 and I recognize the style of your wedding well. You look like you were 12!!!
Our 40th anniversary this weekend! All I can say is where did the time go? I still feel like that 23 year old just getting her first teaching job, being over joyed and in love and excited about making a home. Your pics are great. It is all those little unexpected moments woven into daily life that make it all special. Good thoughts.
Such a sweet story for date day -- enjoy! :) Linda
This story makes my heart smile. You have wonderful way of painting pictures with words.
Those pictures and that story are the best….thank you for sharing! You brightened my morning : )
I heart you - and your stories - and your venn diagram self! I love these pictures!
Love this, Karianne! Has me laughing. And it's so sweet, totally shows how well he knows you :)
Oh so sweet my friend! :)
Knew you'd bring the sunshine to my morning...great story! Venn diagram indeed...I'm not sure I'd know how to react either! ;)
THE perfect pairing is most certainly a Venn diagram and a spread sheet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For sure!!!!!!!! Love this and LOOOOOOOVE the pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You 2 are so stinkin adorable!!!!!!!! XO, Pinky
I am showing my age here, but you are the next Erma Bombeck! Spreadsheets and Venns make the perfect couple. Thanks for making me laugh....again!
I love all your posts, but my favorites are the ones when you talk about your husband. Such a sweet love story. Great photos... I personally love the red lipstick. Good choice.
Great post and story once again. I love your blog it makes me happy. Cynthia
Once again, you warmed my heart. What a sweet thing for your 'spreadsheet' to say! Obviously, he has thought about you and your personality often and deeply to sum it up in such a way! What true love!! Love your pics!
Looking at other people's wedding pictures is one of my very most favorite things! Thank you, thank you! for sharing yours!
Love this girlie! He's a keeper and so are you!
Seriously, you are the cutest thing ever!! Both in pictures and in writing :) xo Elena
Kari, you are so dang cute & so is that hubby of yours. Y'all are adorable and I loved this. Miss you, I've been so busy I haven't had time to read much lately. xoxo
Keep spinning those circles & he'll keep linear ~ match made in heaven! Loved it! xo, Kelly
awww Karianne, You are an adorable, sweet couple. It's wonderful that you both have found your soul-mate. I love your writing style and I hope you are working on a story for a book. Your Mr. Spreadsheet was so handsome on your wedding day and you and your gown and red lipstick looked gorgeous. I was hoping for a picture of the train. I'm guessing your monogram was either your initials or a combination of Venn diagram and Spreadsheet initials. I'l love to see a picture of it. Hugs, Linda
Oh my, I love this!!! The spreadsheet comment KILLS ME!!! It reminds me of the "men are waffles, women are spaghetti...." "men are spreadsheets, women are venn diagrams." This post totally made me smile. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Those are great pictures! Thank God and your husband for validating "multi-taskers" and our insane thought processes!!
What an awesome post about a sweet moment. It made me realize that I am a venn diagram as well. Now I can explain my unusual conversations that go in many directions and then come back to the original thought. Thank you for sharing.
I love this post! How totally sweet! And I LOVE the pics! you both look so excited and in love - and it sounds like you still are! Yaay for love and romance and staying together!
Oh, my lord! Venn Diagrams are the coolest of all charts. I think I'm a bar chart. Up and down and different every day.
I loved this story! I am still all teared up. You remind me of my husband and I. We met in middle school band. We were friends before marrying. I am going to borrow those titles cause they say it all! I love how he is holding your hand tightly as you walk down the aisle. He looks like he is never letting you go, so sweet!
This is absolutely perfect! Thank you for sharing!
Great photos. That second one.......oh my goodness, it's funny.
Aw shucks, not I'm feeling all sweet and mushy. Darn. I come over here to see something pretty or hear something funny and I get...mushy? Well dang it all, I kinda like it.
Oh, Karianne, that is so precious! My husband and I are definitely a venn diagram and a spread sheet! What a hoot! I love you, big hair and all, and I know your marriage is as priceless as mine. We are both blessed.
The photos speak volumes of your love for one another...and I love your wedding dress! What cherished photos of a very happy day, XOXO
Your blog is one of my favorites! Love the detail in all the stories, and oh so funny!
Awwww, Karianne! You are so adorable!!!! He is keeper, lol!!! God bless you two!!!! Thanks for sharing, I loved your beautiful faces, so in love! Claudine
Aww, what a sweet & funny story. Your pictures are absolutely adorable! I hope Google can keep up with the run on Venn diagram searches. :)
I love this! This is like so many conversations in our house. Though neither one of us would have known to use the term Venn Diagram! :) Wonderful story!
Ah man... I felt like I was right in that room watching the two of you. What a handsome / beautiful couple you two make!!! Thanks for showing us your spreadsheet! :)
I subscribe to a few decorating/home improvement/organizing websites, all of which are beautiful and inspiring like yours. But none are as entertaining. You are a wonderful writer and bring a smile to my face every time I open up one of your posts. I hope a publisher finds you someday and turns these thoughts and comments into a book for all to enjoy.
Awww, a venn diagram and a spreadsheet have never been so romantic. I love this story...it made me smile...although I'm sure not with the kind of smile that you'd walk backwards, uphill in the snow for. ;)
I didn't know what a venn diagram was and I'm quite sure my husband doesn't either. However if he ever called me a spreadsheet I would know exactly what he meant. Bliss
That is a wonderful story! As a teacher, who didn't know what a Venn Diagram was until I was in college, starting in 3rd grade {mere 8 year olds} are now taught how to use Venn Diagrams to compare and contrast two stories or articles. And they are good at it. And I am always amazed every year at how good they are. Then once they know how to use a Venn Diagram they learn how to turn that work into an essay. And over time...they are good at that too. Kind of like your marriage! Happy Day! Trina
I just love this post! I immediately emailed this to my husband to read. Somehow I managed to tear up and laugh out loud at the same time reading this! I did not know until reading this that I too am a Venn Diagram. I did however know that my husband is definitely a spreadsheet! Haha! What sweet pictures! I love your blog!
Too cute! Just helped my son with a Venn diagram, that was a sweet complement.
How well I remember that day - the best birthday present ever! The dress and veil look as beautiful as I wanted them to when I made them. You should put that picture on your mirror to remind yourself of how much your love has grown since that amazing day. Pretty girl- your circles are crazy and allow for freedom to insect where ever and Den's speadsheet allows for organization and reality.
Call me Paul Harvey, but I want the rest of the story. Where did you find the wedding photos? Box 46?
never was there a more perfect description of KariAnne...a Venn Diagram for sure! ADORE the beautiful photos....they look so similar to mine, you can definitely tell when we all got married. ;) Heather
My all-time favorite post yet!!! Thanks for sharing! My girls and I joke with my husband about him being Sheldon and I'm more like Penny from the Big Bang Theory! Hahaha!
Oh my gosh - best story ever. Especially the part where you tripped over everything running to your spreadsheet. Too funny! Thank you for sharing that!
What a cute couple! I'm always amazed at how the talkers and the quiet ones get together :) I'd never heard of a Venn diagram. However, I Googled it and realized I knew what they were regardless.
It's always important for a VENN diagram to find their spreadsheet. Hope you find the wedding pictures. I've spent the week helping a neighbour search for her wedding dress C:
love the wedding shots, you two are just so darn cute!
Oh, Karianne, I am literally CACKLING with laughter! My husband is a spreadsheet, too . . . :) Your post just took me out of a good, but excruciatingly busy day, and put me right in your attic, laughing my head off. Thank you!
Y'all are too cute! That is one sweet hubby you've got. The Venn diagram must be a hot topic recently... my husband was just talking about them the other day. And yes, he had to explain it to me too. Have a great day! ~ Angie
Beautiful story! It's so fun to read your stories. Lovely pictures too!
So sweet, really, one in a million, I have a lump in my throat. So happy you found your pictures and your one and only!
What a sweet story. I had the same hairstyle in my wedding photos :) I think I'm a venn diagram too! The next time I'm jumping from one thing to the next I'll think of the venn diagram.
What a sweet couple you two are! I just hope my daughters Kentucky fiance is just as sweet as your dh, she will have a wonderful life if he is!
Gosh, so your husband is very descriptive too. (mechanical and precise) Storybook, you both. So Sweet, Deb@LakeGirlPaints
Darling post..cute picture Karianne..Glad you found them.
What a great story. You were a beautiful bride and you made the cutest couple! Don't you love those little magic moments when something is said that just warms your heart? xo Diana
what a completely lovely yes romantic post - it is the moments that matter! keep it comin girlie!
That is one cool story. So glad you found your wedding pictures. I really enjoyed seeing them!
There's the red lipstick! So cute!
It's so much fun to see your photos! I'm glad you're still happy and having fun! Sweet hugs, Sis!
I have been waiting and waiting to see your wedding picture. I was NOT disapointed! What a wonderful and creative gift you have with the writting of this blog. This was the perfect day to write this beautiful love story with all the sadness that is in states right now, you made my heart smile! You and your husband are adorable!
Adorable :)
Very cute blog ... awesome pictures ... very enjoyable. Blessings, Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Awww! Nerd romance! Andy says the sweetest math-nerdiest things and they are the BEST. You look exactly the same. So beautiful!
Oh, he is sooo right...you are a Venn Diagram...always thinking, then going on to the next thought...and they all come full circle....My hubby says I never complete a sentence before I go on to the next subject..but he always understands what I am saying...I so LOVED your pictures...what a beautiful couple then and now!!
such precious photos, you two are just adorable!!
Ok I had no idea what a Venn Diagram was either but it sounds like me....................lol Our men have a way of making us remember why we love them...............
How Wonderful!!! The story, the photos... and the beautiful reality of a loving, caring, respectful marriage... just bliss! Thank you so much for sharing... I am off to go down memory lane with my wedding photos...I may need to go buy some hairspray out of respectful nostalgia!
Love that post, Karianne!
What a great looking couple! You look beautiful! Such a cute story. Loving your blog!
Venn Diagrahm + Spreadsheet = Luv... who knew that would add up, but so glad it did for you. Another great post, thanks for sharing.
What a cute statement! Fun to see your wedding photos. What a cute couple! Each shot shows a couple in love and loving life. Glad you found the photos, Miss Venn. Oh, and if they were in the attic, you might want to move them to the climate controlled house. '-)
The sweetest post, Kari ~ your smile is exactly the same. :) xo Heidi
What LOVELY pics, and oohh the beautiful wedding pic w/the oooh sooo pretty flowers! Great story, I`m a venn diagram too, so whatever... it works! LOL! ;-)
oh my goodness. you're amazing. love all your projects, but especially love when you share a little bit of your heart with us. i adore that he is a spread sheet and you are a venn diagram. you'll be happy to know that y'all aren't alone. we're the same. :)
I take it you found the pictures. I love wedding pictures where people look so dang happy! Great story!
Oh, your posts make me sometimes laugh out loud and other times bring a wee tear to my eye! I LOVE your style of writing and this particular post was a HOOT! I've been afflicted with BLOG OVERLOAD but yours is one of just a handful that I make sure I visit with constancy. Why? Because yours makes me happy! Many of the others are mildly entertaining and I will learn something from them but yours? I pick up new and useful info AND it makes me happy! I seriously could share a cup of coffee with you and just chat. Oh, well.....the 4/19 post about your Mom is too funny....please don't change a thing about you!
So cute I almost can't stand it, I am sitting here looking at your two adorables and just grinning till my jaw locks up. SO. DANGED. ADORABLE!
You have the best love story EVER!!
So romantic... you guys bring a tear to my eye and a smile to my heart.
I did not realize you are such an amazing writer! I love reading your posts!
I have probably read this six times now and I even shared it with my husband. It's so sweet and reminds me of us as well. I just adore how you write. Thank you for always making my morning coffee a fantastic experience!