Name: Abby Marie Phillips Age: 26 Hometown: Wichita, KS Tell me about yourself: I am a very upbeat, fun-loving person, with just a touch of OCD. I love playing games, and I always play to win... To say that I am really competitive would be an understatement (think Monica from Friends). I think that I have the best friends and family ever, and I genuinely like spending time with all of them. I also love to cook, especially cookies. My dream job would be to open a bakery and make cakes like the guys on Ace of Cakes (if you haven't seen this show, it is on the Food Network, and is it awesome). I have one dog, Mugsy, who is a 3 year old pomeranian. You know how people always say their dogs are like kids to them? Well, mine really is. He is spoiled rotten, but totally worth it. Also, I am about to have a step-dog, Maddie... That's Brett's dog, but I love her like she is my own. I live in Riverside, and I love this area! I really like the summertime when I can ride bikes and take the dogs for a walk. Although I have a bachelor's in Business Administration, I haven't liked my last several jobs, so I am changing things up. I am currently going back to school and I will be applying to get into nursing school starting in the fall of 2009. Overall, life is good! How long have you known Brett? I met Brett my freshman year in high school, so that would be about 12 years. How did you and Brett meet? We met at school. Specifically, it was through debate. I did debate my freshman year, and he was my debate partner for a couple of tournaments. My mom came to watch us in a debate round, and thought it was really funny that we (unknowingly) would pick up and start chewing on the same pen when the other person was talking. How did you and Brett start dating? Let me preface this by saying that I had a crush on Brett all the way back to freshman year, but we never actually dated until my senior year in high school. I can't remember exactly how we started dating then... It's kind of weird that I can't remember that. But, we dated for about a year, and ended up breaking up when I went to college at Fort Hays. It wasn't until 2 years later when we really started dating. I was going through a really hard time, because it was just a couple of months after being in "the car wreck". I got a call from a number that I didn't recognize, and I answered it and it was Brett. He told me that he had been thinking about me, and wanted to know if I would like to go out for dinner. Of course I said yes, so on the night of the date, he picked me up at my parent's house, and we went to dinner at BG Bolton's and then saw the movie Along Came Polly. And, that was how it began. How did Brett propose? It was 4th of July, 2008. We had gone to Brad and Dixi's (his parents) house for the weekend, so we were in Republic, MO. That night, we went to Bob and Alice's house (they are very good friends of his parents) and they BBQed. We just relaxed all night and watched the fireworks, but I got really tired about 10:30 pm, so Brett and I went back to his parent's. And, we were just sitting in the living room, and the TV was turned on, but we were talking, and he came over and got down on one knee and asked! It was really nice, because it was just the two of us, so I got to go back and tell his parents and then call my family. I was so excited... The next morning, I woke up really early (which, for me, is about 7:00) and nobody else was awake, so I went to Wal-Mart and got about 5 bridal magazines! What is your favorite thing about Brett? Hmm... Well, Brett has this personality that just attracts people to him... He is incredibly funny, down-to-earth, respectful, and unusual. He is hilarious, but he knows when to be serious, and when you talk to him, you can tell that he genuinely cares what you are saying. I think that this is the reason that he has so many great friends, and I think that this is why people want to be around him... It's like, regardless of the where I am or what I am doing, I want him to be there, because I know that it will be better with him there. He knows exactly what to do to make me relax (I can be a little high strung, for those that don't know me), and I find that I am constantly laughing when I am with him. Even if I am upset about something and trying to be serious, Brett will do something funny and I will find myself trying not to crack a smile. It is hard to pick one exact thing that is my favorite, but I would have to say that it is all of that stuff combined. What is your least favorite thing about Brett? Sometimes I have to ask him to do something, seriously, like 20 times before he will listen. And, sometimes I will tell him every day for a year, and he still won't do it. But, it is all small stuff... like, rinsing out a cereal bowl or replacing the toilet paper roll. I can live with it... He's worth it. Describe Brett in 3 words.: Hilarious... Unconventional... Spontaneous What is your funniest memory of Brett? So, I don't know if I can seriously pin down the one funniest memory ever, but I know that this one is close. We went to Wal-Mart once, and for some reason, Brett decided to bring his canteen in with him. It doesn't sound that funny, but you actually have to picture him walking down the aisles of Wal-Mart with that little cup that comes on the top of the canteen, his pinky sticking out as if he is drinking out of fine china. I was totally mortified at the time... I kept telling him that it isn't normal for people to take canteens into stores. But, he said that he didn't see why more people didn't use them, and he insisted that it made total sense. I don't know why I was so embarrassed at the time, because now when I look back on it, I think it is hilarious! Name: Brett Aaron Haralson Age: 27 Hometown: Joplin, MO Tell me about yourself: In Geometry, there is a thing called the Law of Syllogism, or the law of detachment. Basically it boils down to if a = b, and b = c, then you can conclude that a = c. Telling you about myself means telling you about what makes me me. Tell you what makes me me means telling you about my family and friends. Therefore, you can conclude that telling you about myself means telling you about my family and friends. So, here we go.... I am lucky to have the best fiance in the world. We will save the details for later. I have the absolute best friends in the world. You know the kind of friends that are in the movies - everyone is laughing, taking bullets for each other, and giving two armed love hugs (not those silly bro grabs they do now-a-days)? Those are my friends. I couldn't ask for anything better. Finally, my family. My family has always been supportive of me and whatever I chose to do. They don't judge me when I stumble, and they pick me up when I fall. My parents are the best parents in the history of parents. My sister is the best sister in the history of sisters. I am close to almost everyone in my extended family, and I love them with all of my heart. I look forward to welcoming Abby into my family, and her family becoming mine. You might be wondering why I haven't said much about me. Well, I can tell you that I am a computer geek who loves the nerdiest of things. I play video games, I drink girly drinks, and I like doing things that most people would associate with a rowdy pack of five year olds high on pixie stix and kool-aide. The things I like you probably wouldn't like, and that's something you should be thankful for. I hate talking about myself - let's move on. How long have you known Abby? Abby and I met when I was a big-shot sophomore in high school. The younger ladies can never resist a sophisticated older man. How did you and Abby meet? Some couples have a grand moment of destiny for their 'How did you meet?' story. This is not the case with Abby and I. I first knew of Abby because she was dating a friend of mine, Mike Van Horn. I really got to know Abby through Debate. How did you and Abby start dating? Abby and I have dated twice, so there are technically two stories here. First, I will say that Abby was in love with me. This was an amazing time in my life, and a feeling that will never be repeated. A woman was into me first! I had to take advantage of this. Should I kiss her? Yes! Should I then not talk to her the next day? YES! Am I a jerk for doing so? Yes, but consider the extraordinary circumstances and maybe you will understand my behavior. The bottom line is that she liked me and I liked her - let the sparks fly! The two stories of how we officially started dating are virtually the same story. I walked her out to her car, asked if she wanted to go out and then gave her the best, most passionate kiss of her life... twice. She will tell you it is all true. How did you propose? She tells the story much better than I. It was nothing fancy, nothing grandiose. It was just me and her, by ourselves. It was perfect. What is your favorite thing about Abby? I could do the traditional thing and say "everything", and while that wouldn't be far from the truth I will share with you some specifics on why I love Abby so much. Some stuff may be sappy, some stuff may not be - but it's all true. While there are many traits I look for in people, the one that I value most is their love for those around them, the way they treat friends and strangers, and their attitude towards the world when they wake up in the morning. Abby is one of the sweetest people I know. She has the kindest heart, she loves her family and friends, and is willing to do anything for those that she cares about. That is why I love her. Second, she is able to put up with my weirdness. While I am good at maintaining the appearance of being normal, Abby knows otherwise. She is one of the few people in this world who not only can put up with the way I do the things I do, she loves me even more for the way I am. Knowing what I know about myself, even tolerence is a lot to ask of someone - but she tolerates me with ease. That is why I love her. Third, she is not afraid to speak her mind. While this may sound like a crap answer, and a nice way of saying "she talks a lot", I assure you it is not. I can always trust that what she says is what she means. I can always trust that she won't be afraid to speak up for herself or others if the situation calls for it. Even though her honesty and frankness have put her into some hot water with me, her family or her bosses - I wouldn't have it any other way. They say that communication is key to a good relationship, and I love the fact that I can always trust her to hold up her end of the bargain. That is why I love her. Fourth, she has my complete trust with our money. While this may be a very clinical answer, it is certainly worth mentioning. Let me just state the facts : Abby is better with money than I am. Abby and I share a bank account. Abby pays all the bills. Abby manages our collective finances. There is a lot to be said about the fact that you can completely trust someone with your paycheck. When I see money, I see new electronics, gadgets, something that plugs in.... When Abby sees money she sees savings, 401k, retirement, Roth IRA's....I am thankful for the fact that she thinks this way and is a usually a counter to my impulsive spending. That is why I love her. I could go on. The most important reason why I love Abby is because she is who she is. She is not what I want her to be. She isn't what her family wants her to be. She is the person that she wants to be, for better or worse. I trust her with my life, my heart and I look forward to spending the rest of my days with her as my wife. That is why I love her. What is your least favorite thing about Abby? (Read her answer to this question first). My least favorite thing about Abby is her tenacity towards her ultimate goal of complete control of my brain and body. Let me offer you a quote from my bride-to-be: "And, sometimes I will tell him every day for a year, and he still won't do it." If this is not evidence of a conspiracy to overthrow my autonomy, I don't know what is. I think that if I were to shut my mouth, clean the house and spew money from my eyes and ears she would be fine with this - as long as I did what she said. You understand the joke, I assume. Describe Abby in 3 Words: Anything to Win What is your funniest memory of Abby? This isn't a single memory as much as it is an ongoing schtick she has developed. Abby likes to do this thing where she knowingly says something so completely stupid and tries to see if I will believe it. Sometimes I fall for it, sometimes I don't. Here are a few examples of interactions between us: Example 1 Abby: "I think New York would be a great place to visit." Brett: "I do to. I would love to go." Abby: "While we are up there, I really want to go see Gotham City. It is near New York, right?". Example 2 Brett: "I would really like to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers when they come in May. I have always wanted to see them." Abby: "You know who we should go see when they come next? Nirvana, i think they would be really cool live."