The ways.....

You had certain ways to do things....they were sometimes different than mine, sometimes not. You delighted in explaining why you did things the way you preferred. It usually had to do with your family. You grew up in a frugal household, the son of a truck farmer and hairdresser.  Your sisters were older and everyone worked the farm as soon as you grew big enough to pick fruit and veggies or pull weeds. You told me that by the time you were 13 years old, you had to purchase all of your clothes and schoolbooks with money you made yourself. Your Dad did not pay for your work at home, so you had to find odd jobs to help out other farmers.
This made you frugal and always looking to find a good deal.  You loved going to auctions all year round to find "something for nothing", which you would hold onto in the hopes of the item someday becoming valuable. The loft in the barn and in the garage were filled with such finds.

Another thing I remember is how you stocked up of canned foods and other non-perishables when you found a good deal at a store.  Your little house had minimal space, but there was a pantry and a root cellar filled with cans, bottles and pouches. It didn't seem to matter to you how many you already had....if there was a good sale, you went and bought some!

Your habit was to cook for the whole week on Sunday. I remember the first time I suggested getting together on a Sunday, you told me you had to cook and wouldn't have time.  I said "ok...." and then you suggested my coming over and helping, then we'd have dinner together.  I found that to be a good idea and showed up. We cooked and talked, enjoying each other greatly....then sat down to a lovely dinner with wine and candlelight.  You really wanted me to stay the night, but I was not ready to do so, and drove home.

You really were patient about my not being ready for any physical relationship. I appreciated that, especially since I know you didn't feel like being patient about it! LOL....