Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Freakishly Nice

When Kristian and I first started dating and people would ask me to describe him the first thing I would always say was that he is "freakishly nice". I kept waiting and waiting for something to happen and for him to show that he is really secretly psycho or that he likes to kick puppies in his spare time but here we are 2 1/2 years later and when people ask me about my husband I still say that he's freakishly nice.

Not only is Kristian incredibly kind and giving to those he loves but also to strangers and neighbors. He's the type that will talk to anyone and make friends wherever he goes. Much unlike his wife who still screams "stranger danger" in my head when I'm around people I don't know. Don't get me wrong I'm not rude to strangers I just don't go out of my way to talk to them.

If it weren't for Kristian our neighbors would probably hate us. I've never been the type to make friends with my neighbors (except for my college neighbor who I liked to make out with late at night, but you know that's college). Kristian however always says hello, makes conversation and will offer to help them whenever needed.

For example:

-Last winter during SNOWmageddon he helped to shovel out numerous neighbors cars.

-Also, during the snow he was outside and one of our neighbors couldn't get his little car up the street in the snow. Kristian talked to him and found out he was trying to get to the store to buy his kid more diapers so Kristian drove him there in his truck. Now they are great friends.

-When one of our neighbors was locked out he climbed up onto her balcony, went in through her screen door and let her inside (all with her permission of course)

-If he sees someone carrying something heavy he always offers to help them

-And then last night when our next door neighbors got locked out he let them hang out in our condo for 30 minutes while they waited for their roommate to come home so they wouldn't have to stay outside in the cold.

I hate to admit it but I don't know if I would have always offered to help in some of these cases. Though I think more of that has to do with safety issues rather than just not being nice. After all it's much different for him to offer to drive a guy he doesn't know somewhere than for me to do it. Or to let virtual strangers hang out in our house than for me to.

But I will say that being with him has helped me to be more open and friendly with people I don't know. Instead of avoiding eye contact I will now smile and say hello to my neighbors and others around me.

Are you friendly with strangers?

8 comments:

♥ Marcy ♥ said...

This was sweet! I love your SNOWmageddon haha that's funny!

Jillian said...

I am very friendly wioth strangers... it makes my husband and family nervous. But I like to think that if I help others in their time of need, then someone will help me in mine.

Your husband sounds like a great guy!

Heather said...

My husband is very similar, digging people out of the snow and buying food for the homeless. I agree that it's somewhat different for a guy to do some of these things than for a woman to do the same. I tend to be more wary of strangers.

Annie said...

you hubby reminds me of my dad, i just love people like that :) always helping others!
i can't say i'm as friendly with strangers. i have had so many weird encounters with people that i tend to stick to myself and avoid eye contact.

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

Your husband sounds like a real keeper! And yes, I am the weirdo who talks to random people, drives my hubs crazy!

PS I just noticed your countup. Has it really been 206 days since your wedding? Wow. Time flies!

bananas. said...

i'm definitely more like you when it comes to strangers and neighbors. dave is like kristian...he always waves and says hello to our neighbors...even to the strange awkward chick across the street. but he's not nearly as nice as your man...he'll still run away w/me whenever our chatty cat loving neighbor is outside to avoid another hour long stupid conversation. haha.

beka said...

I'm embarrassed to say that I would probably not even notice people having problems the way your husband does... and mine is the same way. S is the guy who holds open the door at a store for ten minutes to let the woman with the baby stroller maneuver it through- I always turn around and think, oh wow I didn't even see her there. Says something terrible about me, doesn't it! :)

Nicole-Lynn said...

That's really sweet of your hubby! I think random acts of kindness are always greatly appreciated and noticed for sure!

I am not trying to toot my own horn, but I do try and be nice to everyone. I smile at random people in the grocery store, I compliment women on their clothing all the time, and always open doors for others. It always warms my heart when someone acts the same way towards me too. :)