Talking Hearts Cards

Author's Note: I picked the cards and answered them first. John got a copy of my answers prior to him answering the prompts. Next, I sat down with him to share a few of my answers with him and wrote down his answers. Some of the answers brought humor, and laughter and a couple answers brought conflict. I wonder if the authors of the cards expected the answers to be shared with anyone who wishes to read them?

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What do you miss from the beginning of our relationship that you would like to bring back?

What's something you're proud of but don't get to brag about much? (i.e. my perfect driving record! 0 parking tickets, 0 speeding tickets, 0 road rage)

Talking Hearts Cards

Miss from beginning of relationship, and want to bring back

Denise: You as an independent, me having enough of politics when working for the state and with our Minnesota Indigenous Nations and not needing to ever talk politics or be bothered in our relationship about politics.

John: Sex, more often. Our younger enthusiasm. Denise: Once a week is enough! Do you think we are in a rut? John: It is enough, but not anything like our first times together. No rut.

Proud of but don't brag about much

Denise: My recovery! I am a woman in long term recovery, and that means I haven't found it necessary to drink alcohol or take drugs for over 46 years now. I was 24 when I began my recovery. For the first two years, I was recovering as a wife and family member of alcoholics/drug addicts. That recovery has been for 48 years now. It is work and necessary to stay in recovery, I work on it daily.

John: At 76, my workout routine, our sex life, and riding my 1900 motorcycle. All at my age! Denise: And all of that goes back to your consistent, don't miss daily workout routine. I am proud of you for that and brag you up about that whenever I can. Well, not the sex part!

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

Do you spend enough quality time together?

What embarrassing thing do you wait to do until after I leave the room?

Talking Hearts Cards

Spend enough quality time together

Denise: Yes. More in retirement as we have more time together, overall. Date night, and the Talking Hearts cards are meant for more quality time than quantity time for me!

John: I'd agree with what you said. And we both take care of ourselves as different people with different personalities. I like working on my machines and projects that usually don't involve others, while you are more of a people person and get your needs met by being with, and doing things with people.

Embarrassing thing do after I leave the room

Denise: I don't ever clean out my sniffles/nose in the room with you, but it don't purposely leave the room to do it!

John: Fart! Denise: Oh, bullshit! (Then we both laugh! That is totally not true! 😂🤣) Tell the truth now. John: I don't know, scratch my butt or something, I don't know! Denise: I do laundry, so I know you do that, and I don't ever see you do that! (More laughter! 😂🤣)

Talking Hearts couple’s edition cards prompts:

What's something we've gotten better at since last year?

If you met me today, where would you take me on a date?

Talking Hearts Cards

What are we better at since last year

Denise: I work harder on our relationship due to political differences.

John: Yes. I agree. Denise: Then I read him my answer to the first question, that I skipped past with the first question. Then the fighting words happened, but not nearly as bad as they were last year!

If met today, where would our first date be

Denise: You would choose DQ, I would choose a nice restaurant to talk and find out more about you.

John: DQ. 😂 A motorcycle ride and out to eat at DQ. 😂🤣