Beards, romance and our first interview together

The holidays are upon us and Kari and I are very occupied between the new Pad & Quill product launches and 4 busy Quills. So I thought this post might be a good time to slow down and actually talk to each other while letting you in on the conversation. Our first ever published interview between each other.

Thanks for joining me today Mrs PQ. As you know, I’m a big fan and always appreciative of your time to sit and actually talk to your husband.

 Kari- If talking via email counts.  I can see you in the reflection of my iMac Monitor, so this is  especially romantic.  Adding to the ambiance, Bear the faux fox (our dog), while laying under my desk, is gassing off his Pupperoni snacks and that tang is co-mingling with the bouquet of fast food remains being utilized to live-trap my new furry friends which have taken up residence under my filing cabinet.   Ew.

Question 1

A beard is a gift a man gives his face.  What is it like being married to a man with such a manly beard?  Especially around the holiday season?

It’s the gift that keeps on giving, particularly if you’ve gnoshed on Sloppy Joe’s Mondo Burger for lunch.  It does give me an idea for a Christmas gift for you.  The Art of Manliness  has some wonderful beard maintenance tips in the event that rubbing your fingers through it vigorously ever fails to satisfy as a grooming technique.  

Question 2

When considering the caliber of husband that I am, what causes the most wonder?  Can you describe your feelings around this?

Well initially, my answer was “how can so much power come in such a little package?” and then my next thought was, that just simply came out wrong.  My ADD kicked in when I read caliber, which instantly brought me to ordnance and munitions which compelled me to go completely Barbara Walters and wonder if Brian was a bullet what caliber would he be?  Brian being a strong personality but not one who’s overtly brash or loud strikes me as being a high impact, versatile round like a 9mm.  There are entrepreneurial men who present like a stick of dynamite, but that becomes boorish quite quickly.  A visionary husband that can unbridle his passions while reigning them in with patience and wisdom is a blessing indeed.    

Question 3

One of my favorite things about leading Pad & Quill is the jobs we create. When you think over the past 3 1/2 years, what is one of your favorite parts of being Mrs PQ?

[caption id="attachment_1578" align="alignleft" width="300"] The basement window that thousands of cases moved through.[/caption]

Since those early days in our basement this company has felt like an extension of our family.  I think of Will, our first employee, like a brother.  Having the ability for the kids to come to work with us, to help us build a company that provides for them and so many others is an exceptional gift.

Question 4

What’s your passion behind the orange lining in our new leather bags and Sleeves?

Sweet potato pie!  Our orange reminds me of my favorite tuber.  Roast em, bake em, fry em and hide them in just about everything so the kids don’t know they are getting an extra dose of vitamin A.    I love me some yams.  The world loves yams too as they are a  popular dietary staple in Africa, the Americas,  the Caribbean and the South Pacific.  The world also loves clean water, so long as there is a well from which to draw it cleanly. Children generally love going to school, in particular when the ability to do so hangs in the balance.  And, families generally love to go to bed at night with a roof over their head, malaria shedding mosquito netting over their faces and the fear of a midnight machete attack allayed by relative peace in a region.  I love our orange because it reminds me of World Vision who actively promotes these good things for communities around the world.

Question 5

The PQ household has lots of holiday traditions including our celebration of the birth of Christ.  What is your favorite tradition that we do with the kids?

I’m a gift giver at heart, so the holidays are downright nirvana for me.  I love seeing the kids faces light up when we’ve surprised them with an unexpected gift.  I love taking cookies to the neighbors and winter flowers to our adopted Grandma Maryann across the street.  And sledding! And making secret drops of food or presents to doorsteps of friends struggling this season.  Then there is wearing our Advent jammies while watching Christmas Story for the 87th time, and Christmas Eve service in all it’s regal candlelit splendor.  And the celebration of peace, hope and love.  Gatherings with friends and family, and the now infamous PQ holiday party, it’s all one great package of Holiday goodness.

I'm a blessed guy, with exception to a few stray sentences (clearing throat).

Anyway! From our family to yours, hoping you have a great holiday season and certain wax stamped gifts fall under your tree!

Mr PQ

Brian