Rapid Fire Q&A & High School Love Notes

here's a question for you is marriage overrated ?

why aren't people getting married anymore ? A new pew research poll found that two and five young adults think marriage is an outdated tradition . Marriage rates are at their lowest right now . Is marriage really even worth it ? More than half of marriages end in divorce .

If you get married , you have to be stuck with this person for the rest of your life , right ? That's why you get married . So that's why it's declining . Why would you get married if you don't ? If you want ?

to have just one partner when you can have multiple Marriage is stupid . Welcome to the Married AF podcast , the self-proclaimed greatest marriage relationship podcast in the world . My name is Matthew Powers , alongside my beautiful wife , monica . Baby , how you doing ?

Can you please start asking me different questions ?

What's crack-a-lackin' ?

That's a lot better .

What's crack-a-lackin' to the mack-a-lackin' ?

Because you know how I'm doing .

I do know exactly how you're doing , but the people on the interwebs do not . But you're going to be doing much better after this because , boy , oh boy , do I have some fun stuff for us tonight . Recording on a late Thursday night .

Straight out of softball practice .

Straight out of softball practice .

I did put on some lipstick , though you do .

You look hot . You look amazing . Even you look hot . You look amazing , even though right before we started recording , you said you look homeless . I do , but not what all the cool kids are doing in school anyway . So you're just keeping up with the times .

Not a cool kid .

So , speaking of school and speaking of high school , my mom and dad gave us some old boxes that they had in their attic Just my stuff from growing up and we went through it the other night and boy , oh boy , boy , is there some fun stuff in there .

People can see this . It's fantastic , absolutely .

You know , one thing I did say that I noticed is your handwriting hasn't changed one bit since high school to where you are now . This is a Valentine's Day card . It says it's Valentine's Day and I want to nibble your treats . I love you , Monica . That's a great one .

Are you sure that was teenage Monica ?

Well , listen , we didn't do Valentine's Day much , much longer . After this , one says lucky me , I got you Happy anniversary , I love you , love you , monica . And I got a little bit of a lipstick kiss on this one right here too , oh my gosh .

This looks like exactly the same color I'm wearing right now .

Is that not just tremendous ? Look it does , it really does , even though . I'm colorblind , I didn't know you were colorblind and I can't 100% tell , but this one really got me . This was a graduation one .

I wish there were dates on these .

I do too . What's the Hallmark card say on the back ?

I don't know if they put dates on them . Do they actually have dates that ?

Probably not . But listen to this . One is one of a kind , but then so is the person holding it , and you wrote I love you , sweetheart . I don't think you've called me sweetheart since probably that day .

I don't know that I've ever called you sweetheart , unless I'm making fun .

You did . At this point it said I love you , sweetheart , have fun at Alabama and try not to forget that you have a girlfriend that's going to be in a town waiting for you to come home . That's going to be in a town waiting for you to come home . I love you . Love you , monica . But then on this one it said in the basket there is .

Who wrote what ? I wrote this to you .

You wrote this one to me .

Oh boy .

And this is dated 4-5-2001 . And to be able to go back and look through all this stuff is phenomenal . Now I'm not going to give it to you , because you're going to try and read it . I am and we're not going to read it . All right , you want to know what you said . Here's what you got right here .

Have you read this ?

Oh , I've read this . I absolutely have read this . So four , five , 2001 . I'm kind of nervous . How was school this morning ? My school was all right . I only took one test , smiley face . Next week I'll probably take two or three , depending on the teacher's attitude . No wait , I won't take any because I will be taking SATs , sats , sad face .

Yeah . I try to keep every single one of them Sitting around in the attic . Hopefully as long as they didn't get washed in the washing machine if I kept them in my pocket yes and they were not washed .

Some of them definitely got washed in the washing machine but it's so fun to just go back and read through it and see where we were at that point , because here we are , 20 something years later .

That was 2002 . 2001 .

So 23 years ago , 23 , almost 24 years ago . But it's so fun to go back and read through them , See where we were , see what was going on , and I'm just so thankful that we have been able to take that whole journey together , because if Thompson High School had anything to do with it , we wouldn't have .

Do you want to hear what the list is ? Be sitting here today because for the whole , I need to know now for the whole school .

I mean , you didn't make the list . Do you want to hear what the list is ?

I mean , do you want to ?

I mean it's fun , why not ?

I know , but how ? Listen , I know who all I had to fight to keep away from you . Tell you what I'll . I'm gonna look at these names before you start spitting names out I'm not gonna mention any names .

I will give this to you once we're done and you can peruse through it .

All you want , because I'm gonna look at lego . Oh my god I found this hysterical no , let me see your , let me see your top . Uh , what was it compatible people yes and then your least compatible people well , I remember them no , you're not not .

Yeah , I'll give them to you right now . I'll let you go ahead

I'm pretty sure she's a lesbian now .

Well , I mean , it's possible .

Most of these girls were in my grade .

Yeah , Is that not just so funny and so crazy at the same time ? It's wild when you really think about it .

So listen , I just want to say we should totally call these numbers and see if they're still in alabaster .

Hey , I was looking through some old stuff from high school and she says we're completely compatible . What do you think about that ?

Oh , I'm going to tell you the ones on this page One , two , three , four . There's several compatibilities . She's a lesbian Five . She's a lesbian Six would be okay .

Well , we made it but had thompson high school had their way the funny thing is I don't know that we would have wait a minute at all .

Well , nobody from Alabaster listens anyways .

But according to the numbers . They definitely know If you live in LA or Chicago or Dallas or Miami or New York or any of that .

absolutely no , we don't need to look at that right now because we're running low on time already .

Go for it . And we got to get into today . And we got to get into today . Put your phone away .

I'm listening .

No , you are not listening because I'm about to ask you rapid fire questions that I would like your full attention on , because I think these are fun and I think this is what makes our relationship great .

Ours .

Yes , oh , because we can ask each other these questions . We have real answers and we live this out and that's why we stood the test of time . So number one . So Real answers and we live this out and that's why we stood the test of time .

So number one , so am I going to get these wrong ?

No , you're not going to get these wrong . These are all open-ended questions for the most part . I believe All right . Fun one . If you could have any superpower , what would it be ? Any superpower whatsoever . What would it be ? Ooh , superpower whatsoever .

What would it be ?

We've talked about this in the past .

I've got a top three .

I need number one , the only one you would want . It was such a hard question . This is something every couple should know . What is the superpower ?

Okay , tell me what you think I have and I'll tell you if it's in my top three .

I'll tell you my top one .

I think I already know your top one what Teleporting ?

Yes , teleportation , absolutely Number one . You know how amazing that would be Just to be able to boom done Wherever I want to go . I think you would like teleportation .

It was in my top three .

I , I think you would like teleportation .

It was in my top three , I think you would like invisibility .

That is in my top three , absolutely , and maybe we'll be able to fly .

That is my top three .

I nailed it , so which one's the best one ?

I don't know , because I've never been able to fly or teleport .

Not teleport .

Can I try them all out before I pick one ?

Absolutely , you most certainly can , so I thought that was fun . If our relationship had a warning label , what would it say ?

Truth .

Oh , oh . That is good because the truth is painful and a lot of people on the internet will accept the truth . Don't want the truth .

They get too deep into their feelings about the truth .

You know , truth is love , and that's something we don't get right a lot of the time . Well , the Bible is truth . It is and it's love . And people think that the Bible is hateful and mean and old school and not relevant . But it's truth and it's loving and it's loving .

It's old school . Yeah , it's been around 2,000 years .

Well , it's loving , because it's true . And how much do you have to not like someone or hate someone to not tell them the truth ?

Maybe a good reason why Christians get a bad rap .

It is .

They're just being honest in their beliefs , but nobody wants to go around telling people who are Buddhist or Muslims that your way is the wrong way . I'm sure that there are some Christians that do that .

That's why Christians it's like Gandhi said I love your God , I don't love his people because we're nothing like him .

I love your Christ , but I don't love your Christians .

Exactly Because we're nothing like him . We like to spew the truth when it's convenient to us , but we do it in such a hateful manner . Jesus did it in such a loving manner . He's going to quickly . He's going to love everybody , take care of everybody , care about everybody , be there for everybody .

What is it for you ? What would you say ?

I don't know .

Why do I have to answer the question ?

I think truth is good . I came up with the question . You're the one who's answering them . Come on now . What is one insecurity you have , or have you ever had , in our relationship , if any ?

uh , that you're going to leave me for somebody else .

That's way back when , way , way , way back when , because you and I have the had the exact same one , so we had the exact same one . I used to think the exact same thing .

Not with jacob , you're the werewolf yes I mean you imprinted on me so hard you had no idea anybody was ever flirting with you otherwise I mean , I mean otherwise now these names on this list because I could see all the girls flirting and know that there's so much more than I was and it didn't matter .

No , it didn't .

But I didn't know that .

No , that's hard for people to .

Because I would love to go back and watch the situations and just laugh when they were happening , instead of going .

oh , I'm going to have to kill her . Yeah , we don't want that . All right . So flirting Let me take us to

Yeah .

I can't .

I know you can't .

I can't at all . So what are the things ? How can you tell if someone is flirting with you ? What is it that's like yep , he's flirting with me .

They try to make me laugh right away .

That's it . Huh Laughter Cheesiest pickup line you've ever heard .

Does it have to be used on me ?

I would prefer it , but not necessarily .

I never really have pickup lines .

Okay .

But a good friend of mine . It's my favorite one .

Let me have it .

Thank you , Jason Hamlin .

He had the best corny pickup lines .

They were so amazing .

They are the best . What is it ?

hey , there didn't have much of polar bear ways . No well , it's enough to break the ice , hi I'm jason that is uh I want to know what pickup line he used on charlie . Uh , we'll have to , I'm gonna have to ask . We'll have to ask one day , I'm going to have to ask him .

I'm going to have to ask one day . Speaking of terrible pickup lines , this is borderline inappropriate , but that's okay A guy we went to college with I don't even remember his name , but he was from Canada and his pickup line would always be hey , you got any Canadian in you , you want some ? It's terrible ,

That's so sad .

It is .

I don't know . The exact thing has a lot to do with me liking to look at you naked .

I mean partially . Yeah , I would say that plays a part in it .

And I like sex . I like you , I like you , I like sex .

Thank you , Borat . How much Very nice , but what's something people can do to keep the spark alive ?

Pull the naked man .

It works most of the time 60% of the time it works . Now , that's Sex Panther . Come on , that's not the naked man , that's Sex Panther .

You can wear Sex Panther while you're doing the naked man , then it'd be 100% .

You most certainly could . I think one thing is just letting the other know how much you want them . If you just do that , then hey , it'll be good to go . That's one way to keep the spark alive .

Yeah .

But the other person has to believe it . Well , they do , but you can also make them believe it . I think you can easily make them believe it Eventually .

Physical insecurities of someone . It's got to be a reason why the spark is dying .

Yeah , partially I agree with that .

But I'm going to say this again because I've said it before Turn the lights off .

If that's a need , shut them down .

If you need the lights on and know what you're doing , you ain't doing something right .

You're not wrong .

I'm going to be able to find you in the dark .

Yes , you most certainly can .

Especially if you got something I want .

Yes , you most certainly can , especially if you got something I want . Yes , you most certainly can . Where does this podcast go ? I don't know , but it's always fun whenever it does . Why should couples go on short weekend one-on-one getaways ?

Oh , because you have a lot of sex without the kids .

That is one big reason why You're able to really connect on those .

Yes , it's just you too .

Yes , and it needs to be . Just you too , and it not your phones . No , you put the phone . Anything to do with work put them in the hotel safe .

Remember the why you're with each other .

Couples need to go on at least a minimum of one solo weekend getaway .

If it's just the cheapest little room to lock you two in .

It can be in your hometown , it doesn't matter , but just say something outside of the home , one-on-one , just you two , at a minimum one time a year . You know , if you can do it more , great , you probably should , but at a minimum one time a year .

We went to orlando that was not this year that was last year see holy smokes .

All right , I better book a trip . It is go time , time to book a trip , it is past go time . It is past go time .

We just had a crazy year .

It has been a crazy year . What was the last thing you searched for on Google ? You don't know .

I don't really search a lot of things on . Oh yeah , I do .

What did you search for ? What was it ?

I had to explain the difference of medical terminology to my parents and I didn't know the exact words to be able to tell them . I knew what it meant , but I had to dumb it down . Does that make sense ?

It does . Okay , one of the last thing I searched for on Google .

Something sports related .

Nailed it . Something sports related nailed it . What was it ?

uh news on juan soto has he made a decision yet ? No , how close did he meet with the dodgers ?

really . Yes , he's met with the dodgers , the yankees , the mets , the red sox and , I think , the blue jays . I do know he's too , though I do know he basically told the yankees your farm system blows . I don't see a bright future here , but I still think it's going to come down to the most money .

But you think the Red Sox has got a better option ?

Yes , red Sox have one of the top farm systems in the whole .

Then why don't we bring somebody up ?

Oh , just wait . Roman Anthony , Christian Campbell , they're coming this year . They're going to be the savior of the Boston Red Sox . But that was the last thing I searched for on Google . I'm not surprised , not surprised one bit . Let's see a few more here . What is your definition of successful ?

I think everybody has a different definition of successful .

Yes , but what ?

is yours . I feel like mine might be far-fetched for people because they don't necessarily , might not necessarily understand , but for me , when you set a goal , you meet that goal and then you start another goal , Because if you're continuing to set goals and meet those goals , you're constantly learning new things and your brain will never stop going .

No , most people fall short . They're not patient enough to actually see it through . They're not necessarily willing to put in the work , to make the sacrifice to achieve the goals that they have .

There was one thing that I said I was going to do , but I never did it . What was that ? Because I said I was going to do , but I never did it .

What was that ?

Because I changed my mind on it , because I would not be with you as much as I wanted to be .

And that is .

A flight attendant .

Oh , that is true . That is true Also . You missed one .

But I changed my mind on it .

You did change your mind . You realized that , hey , maybe this is not all that I thought it might be cracked up to be seems to be awesome that would be so cool but maybe , uh , maybe that's not what , what you necessarily wanted . Uh , a few more here . Can someone be friends with their ex ? No why not ?

their , their ex , so can't be friends with their ex ?

No , why not their ex ? So can't be friends with your ex , no matter what ?

Would you want me to be friends with an ex ?

Absolutely not . You want to know why .

Because you'd be terrified . You would be terrified . I do believe somebody could be friends with their ex , but the spouse of that person is going to always constantly think when you are with that ex , they're doing something behind your back , totally Period .

I firmly believe you cannot be friends with your ex . You can't be friends Now . You can be friendly and cordial . Absolutely you cannot be friends , because I am fully of the mindset Men and women singularly cannot be friends because the man is always going to take it especially to that other level and always think there is a shot that I can get with her .

Yes , like as in outside of work or school .

Correct Because .

Or being friends with your spouse .

Yeah , so you're not going to have a friend of the opposite sex who you are texting daily or every other day having texting conversation . It's just because the man is always going to run and try and take it to the next level every single time . I don't think that's possible , so no but .

I don't believe that the man is the only issue . I mean it takes two to make a thing go right .

Oh , it most certainly does . I mean women can be just as guilty . But I know men especially are always looking for . All I'm waiting for is my moment . Men will play the long game . They will play that long game as long as they possibly can , just thinking one day I'm getting my shot and I'm going to take it .

And she is not going to be able to say no to me , even though she most certainly will , because all of the things you're saying right now is just related to Alexander Hamilton . How am I supposed to say no to this ?

Okay .

And then I'm not throwing away my shot . I mean , you're just spitting out .

Listen , we listen to Hamilton . A lot . Cash loves Hamilton Every time we get in his car , dad , can we listen to Hamilton ? It's like , yeah , let's go ahead , let's go ahead and get to that spot . All right , just a few more here . What is the biggest mistake you have made in our relationship ?

I don't have one . No , because if I wouldn't have been able to make a mistake in the relationship , I wouldn't have been able to learn from what I shouldn't do .

I'll agree with that . I have no regrets about our relationship .

Not one letter .

No , not even one letter . No regrets , no scutty pee . Are there some mistakes ? I made a million mistakes . Yes , absolutely .

Oh , absolutely A ton of mistakes .

Some major big mistakes , but I agree it wouldn't have led us necessarily to the point where we are now . Now , if I could go back , it'd be nice to maybe not make some of those mistakes , to maybe reduce some of the heartache and frustration and anger and all that .

But again , it would not be where we are today .

We are where we are today because of those past failures .

Because if we would not have gone through those , we would not be where we are today .

No , totally , and it just shows the grace and forgiveness that you need in a relationship to be able to get to a thriving point , to where we are now . But I wouldn't want to go and erase any mistake that we have ever made , because we wouldn't be where we are .

Okay , I have a rapid fire question for you to answer now .

Okay .

Since you can't change any mistakes , is there one thing that you would go back and change , one thing that you would have done differently ?

differently .

I mean I'm sure yes , again , it kind of goes back to I don't know that I would , because I wouldn't necessarily be where we are now this is hypothetical , but yes , if I could go back there plenty of times where I wouldn't have been so stupid and childish and no , I'm talking about not changing a mistake , doing something different Like you wouldn't have done

Probably not , it's just a hypothetical . Probably not , unless I could have told myself when I first came out hey , put all your money in Bitcoin . That could have worked . Okay , I'd probably be about it .

Put all your money in .

Bitcoin . That could have worked . Okay , I'd probably be about it . Let's see , oh , that's not lame , it's not lame at all Bitcoin . I mean , it's worth almost $100,000 of Bitcoin . Now Blah , we should give you actual coins .

Okay , why don't you give me the computer-generated type thing of the next question ?

Oh fine , I can do that . Our small group . We've talked about bringing the small group back .

Yeah .

And we've kind of both been thinking about it and praying about it and talking about it .

But not telling each other that we were thinking about it .

No , because it was just both on our mind . So why is it that you think it's important that we bring it back ?

Like to our church .

Yes .

And not just keep it to the podcast .

Well , no , I mean , the podcast will still be here .

Okay .

But to bring it to the church . Why is it that you felt convicted to ? Hey , I think we need to do this again .

Well , seeing all the prayer guards of people that need

I agree and I think just to let them know that , hey , a biblical marriage is awesome and fun .

Yeah .

Like we have a freaking great time , yeah , and a lot of fun , and it's not just boring rule after boring rule after boring rule . I mean there are hard and fast rules and principles , but it's a heck of a lot of fun when it's done the right way .

Absolutely .

And I agree . I see it . We're so passionate about it , but I see just the hurt that is out there and the longing for I want this to be better .

Well , there hasn't been a marriage small group , I mean , there's small groups where I guess , married people go together .

There are .

But it's not about marriage .

No , it's not .

It's about other things there hasn't been one since we did that .

No , and that was two years ago , at least two years ago .

COVID .

No , we did them after COVID . It's been two years . We took a little break and then we did it again 2021 . Then it may have been into 2021 .

Because we couldn't sit any more people in our house .

Maybe in fall of 2021 , maybe 2022 . Anyways , it's been years since we've done it and there hasn't been anything else there for anyone else . And there should be . Marriage is so important it's the most important relationship we'll have on earth and there should be . Marriage is so important .

I mean , if you're passionate about it , why not step in and do the things somebody else isn't doing ?

I think there's probably a reason there hasn't been another one that's popped up . The Lord's like hey , idiots , let's go .

I think they're fun .

I agree .

They're sometimes a little deep .

They can be really deep , which I think is good , but they're good .

Because some of them that you have answered , I've even gone . Huh , really , I wouldn't have thought that .

But when it's prompted you can give a real honest assessment and answer and I think it can do a lot of good .

It can just , you know , help you grow deeper in your relationship never have I ever wanted to know what you would have changed about me . But now I know and what is that ?

my knees , now I know . And what is that ?

My knees . They look weird , do they ?

So weird . Do they so weird , such weird kneecaps . Never seen anything like it in my entire life . Lies , give me a bloody break . Why did you say my knees ? Because you are so insistent of what's wrong with me . What don't you like ? Well , baby , I love everything about your body . No , there has to be something that you don't like about my body .

And then , oh , that was 15 years ago , and you have not forgotten it one bit no , because my knees are weird oh , that's still .

I'll stand hard by that one . It's monday . It's your knees . If I could change anything , I would change your knees and just shift the shape of them just a little bit . How about them apples ? Nerd you're ridiculous .

I made you even close your book .

Yeah , I got nothing . I've got more , but we're going to cut it off right there , you and your knees . Anything else ? Any final thoughts ?

I love you .

I love you too , but before we get out of here , kingdom and Will we haven't talked about them . They're awesome and amazing and we're so thankful for them . Haven't talked about them . They're awesome and amazing and we're so thankful for them . You guys check them out .

I have really , really soft shirts .

Super soft , super awesome . Check them out , it's awesome . All right , let's get out of here . I love you .

I love you .

God , we love you . We are so thankful for everything that you do . We don't deserve it , but you put us here and you chose us and we trust you . This is yours and everything we say

We .