This week's Real People in Love are Courtney and Chris, the couple behind the blog Mailbox Kids and the Etsy shop of the same name. Courtney, who also has a blog called Kid vs. City, emailed me a couple of weeks ago asking to participate in this series. I love the perspective of people in love that are still in the early stages of their relationship, it's so refreshing and sweet to read about the giddiness that comes with the beginning of a relationship.
I am 19 and Chris is 24.
How long have you been together?
We have been together for six months.
What are your occupations?
Our occupations are constantly changing. I work a a call center that conducts consumer research surveys and I'm a full time student at Columbia College Chicago for Public Relations. Chris works at a local restaurant as a dishwasher and picks up freelance illustration gigs. Together we run an Etsy shop that sells art and greeting cards.
How did you meet?
I hung out with his roommate one day and added his roommate on Facebook. Chris found me through that and added me. After a night of talking we decided to hang out for the first time on Halloween. Things went really well that day and we ended up hanging out twice, and we went from there.
Define Love:
We have kind of a funny look at love. We can be very serious with it, like love is missing each other before we even part, being able to confide in each other about everything, and being able to lay in bed at the end of a day that we spend together and still be able to talk for a few more hours, or just stare at each other with smiles. But we also think love is being able to pick each others noses, and being so comfortable with each other that we don't have to worry about the other judging one another for the weird and sometimes embarrassing things we can do.
What is the toughest part of being in a committed relationship?
Jealously, definitely. We've had a few issues with this, and as we go though the days we are getting more used to dealing with it. But since we spend so much time together one-on-one, we get jealous of each other we one another gets attention from someone of the opposite sex. Basically, sharing stinks when it comes to each other.
What is the best part?
Waking up to each other every morning. Having that rock/backbone is also amazing. We support each other through everything, and we are also there to motivate each other for each of our endeavors. I've never felt so comfortable with anyone as I do around Chris, so it's great to have that. We also love being able to cook dinner for each other and being able to go on little adventures around the city and being able to share those fun times with each other.
What is the best day the two of you have had together?
I asked Chris this question because I couldn't think of one, and he couldn't think of one either. Really, every day we get to spend together is amazing and we always do at least one thing each day to make our day fun. We go to concerts or galleries together, walk to different parts of the city and have picnics in parks, or just sit on our couch watching movies and cooking food all day. I feel lucky for every day I get to spend with Chris, it would be unfair to just choose one.
Photo via Alice Xiao
What makes you different from other couples?
I think the fact that we are able to work so well together in many different aspects. We run a business together, write a blog together, and are able to share creative ideas with one another. Also, we are really good at splitting things evenly. If we go grocery shopping, we each buy a portion of the groceries. We alternate paying for dinner if we eat out, etc.
What is your favorite thing to do together?
For me, it's working on a creative project. My medium is mostly in writing, so whenever I'm able to work on something with Chris that is visually appealing and he's able to teach me something, I enjoy it. For Chris, it's running the business, and being able to cook dinner together or for each other every night.
Do you have a song?
No, we don't. Maybe some day we will come across one, though.
What is the most essential element of making it?
Communication, definitely. We have realized that a lot of the issues we have come across in our relationship boil down to mishaps in communication. Either he said something that was a joke and I took seriously or he misheard something or whatever. Usually, we just have to sit down, talk about it and clear the air, and we're all good. Trust is also big. Up until recently, neither of us really had jobs, and now that we're having to spend time apart between work and school, our trust is definitely being exercised a little bit more. Cracks in trust definitely lead to more jealousy issues, and we work on that every day.
What are your hopes for the future
Currently, my hopes include graduating college in a timely manner, saving money, and being able to complete all of my goals. For Chris, he would like to make it as a freelance illustrator and so far he has been doing fantastically at it. And for us as a couple, we would just like for things to continue going as they have been and we're taking it one day at a time. I just recently moved into his apartment with him and his roommate, so it's continually looking up.
Anything else the world needs to know about love?
It's beautiful and awesome, and for those who are non-believers, they need to give it a chance-no matter how messed up or screwed over they've been by it.
1 comment:
Thanks so much for featuring us! This series you have here is so cute =)
Post a Comment