1) How were you able to afford a house?
How were you able to afford a house if you were newlyweds? What was your process to find the house?
It wasn’t easy, that is for sure. When Gerard proposed I still had a one more year of college to finish. He had graduated earlier and was working. I worked a lot of part-time jobs while I finished my studies. Basically we had a whole year to save up for our house. We started house hunting around May 2010 and in August we found “the perfect” house.
Gerard and I had a yearlong engagement, so that gave us enough time to save up for a house. Originally we started saving up for an apartment, and of course, the wedding. As elaborate as the wedding was, we didn’t spend a lot on it. The center pieces and most of the decorations were made by family members. Probably a big amount of the money used to buy the house came from me. I sold the rights to one of my novels that I had turned into a screenplay to a local Movie company. They paid me a lot for the story, since they turned it into television series and they asked me to give up 100% any ownership over it. Basically we bought the house with our savings.
2) Your husband seems to be able to offer you economic stability. Why do you work?
Gerry is working; he should be able to support you, why don’t you quit?
I love my job and I love working. I feel like I’m still too young to be “tied-down” by just being a housewife. Gerry and I have spoken about the possibility of one of us not working in the future, but right now we are both content with our jobs. Also, I feel like I worked too hard in college to simply graduate and then not put to use some of the knowledge I gained. My job hours are still shorter than Gerry’s work hours, so I have time to be home and do my wife duties.
3) You said that before you rarely stayed in the same room (bedroom). What has changed since you began staying in the same bed?
Hahaha. I think I know what you are hinting at. I’m not answering this question. I’m merely addressing it because I get similar questions about “what happens in the bedroom…” I write about our life, but what happens in the bedroom stays there.
4) I’m getting married to my best friend in 2 months. I’ve been following your story for awhile. I was wondering what song you and your husband danced to during the reception?
Congratulations on your wedding! Enjoy your special day; it really goes by so fast! Gerry and I danced to “For the First Time” by Ron Stewart. We debated about what song we should dance to. Our Top Five options were; “I love you baby”, “For the first time”, “From this moment”, “When you kiss me”, and “Amazed”. We threw out the last two options because these were songs that we’d danced with our Ex’s at some point.
5) How are your brother-in-laws? Do you have a good relationship with them?
Yes. I have a nice relationship with them. They are usually busy with their jobs, so we rarely see each other, except at family get-togethers. I don’t write a lot about them, because when we see them, nothing exciting happens. I probably should include them, just to add something interesting to our life.
6) After your recent trip to promote your book and the Stop Bullying Campaign, have you considered what would happen if your job asked you to relocate?
Your question is indeed something that has been on my mind a bit. It has occurred to me that at any point Gerard’s job or my job could require for us to relocate. I think that if that happened to Gerry, I wouldn’t think about it too much and simply move. I would look for another job and find a way to make things work. I don’t know if Gerry would do the same for me, but I’d like to think so. Obviously before the move we would have to consider if the job offer is worth it or not.
7) What is the best gift you have gotten for or from each other?
One of my favorite gifts from Gerry is a life-size stuffed animal bear; which is called ThunderBear. Gerard knows that I don’t like thunder storms. They make me nervous and I’ll admit that I’m a little afraid of loud storms. So, before we stayed in the same room, he bought me a huge bear to hug during stormy nights. I love that bear because it is very soft and it has long arms that are comfy to wrap around me.
I think that one of the best gifts that he’s gotten from me, is a fancy wristwatch and on the back of it I had engraved “I always have time for you”
8) Does your husband read your stories or novels?
I have been asked this question a lot and I have avoided it for awhile. I mainly didn’t want to answer it because I was embarrassed with the answer, yet after thinking it over; I realized it doesn’t make any difference. Gerard doesn’t read anything I write. He’ll listen to my ideas for stories and maybe read a couple draft ideas, but doesn’t read the final product. I am relieved at the fact that he’s not really interested in my books. I write mostly fiction and he prefers historical novels or books that are in the NewYork Bestsellers. It’s actually good that he’s not interested in my books because I don’t would like him criticizing my characters! He is supportive of my “paying-hobby” but that’s the extent of his involvement in my stories.
9) Have you met each other’s Ex’s? How did you react?
We have met each other’s former romantic interests, but it’s never gone beyond a random encounter at the supermarket or on the street. If you want to hear story of one encounter with Ex’s, here goes:
One of Gerry’s’ old flame got married (to a girl) last year. We got an invitation for the wedding, but opted not to go because it would be awkward. We sent a nice gift and wished them a happy life. When I was in High School I dated a guy for a few months. He wasn’t exclusive, so I didn’t consider him to be my boyfriend. The relationship ended because he was always treating me badly. He would say horrible things to me, making me feel ugly and unwanted. One day, while we were in college, Gerard and I went on a friend-date to the movies. As we were leaving the movie theater we ran into my EX. (I had told Gerry about him previously). EX walked up to me and said a vulgar comment. He started making fun of me again. Gerard stood up for me by putting EX in his place and standing with me. His support during that horrible encounter was priceless, and he showed me that I was worth more than what my EX said.
10) Do you playfully do things that bother one other?
Yes! He leaves things laying around the house or give me sloppy kisses on the forehead! (ugh!!!)
And I pretend to burn his outfits or accidently shrink his shirts. Hahaha
Thanks for your questions!! I’ll be posting more later!
Have a wonderful day!
Till Next Time
Desirae Valdespino
