Boomeresque:Definition
1. Adj.: Describing a person born between 1 Jan. 1946 and 31 Dec. 1964
2. Adj.: Description of a person, place or thing possessing Baby Boomer je ne sais quoi
3. See also, Boomer, Esq.: A Baby Boomer who is also a licensed attorney (See, e.g., About).

My Boomer Baby: Meet Mr. Excitement

by Suzanne Fluhr on August 24, 2014 · 232 comments

angel statue, chapultepec park, Mexico City

Updated April 15, 2020

Friends and relatives Readers who have been following this blog know that my husband frequently appears in my blog posts as “Mr. Excitement”. I hope new readers will continue to somehow find themselves at Boomeresque, so I think Mr. Excitement finally deserves an introductory blog post. (Especially because I’ve already written two about Dino — our dog.)

Working on lap tops

Having an exciting time at the beach. This is how Mr. and Mrs. Excitement “roll” much of the time.

I first conceived of Boomeresque as a serious, “nothing but the facts” travel site. I assure you there are plenty of facts and some photos of beautiful places in my blog posts. I’m a lawyer so, of course, you can trust me with the facts. However, as my blog has evolved, it seems the “voice” my readers are most drawn to is one where there’s a real, live person behind the words. Given that I’m the real, live person, Mr. Excitement is going to be there — a lot.

Climbing Huayna Picchu at Machu Picchu

Atop Huayna Picchu in Peru during our 1982 honeymoon. You can tell by my attire that we didn’t realize how exciting a climb it would be.

Mr. Excitement is mentioned quite often because for over three decades, we’ve been together for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health ….. you know the rest. And before that, we were “just friends” for ten years, having met in 1971 at our work study jobs in the Williams College fresh”men” cafeteria. (Thank you to whomever it was who assigned us both to sort silverware that day).

But why “Mr. Excitement”?

It’s because he’s part of Mr. and Mrs. Excitement. One of my two sisters once explained our respective marriages this way:

[She] married our father. (Her husband is a very outgoing clown. No, seriously, he’s a real clown). Jenny (our younger sister) married our mother. (She married a nurturing nurse practitioner who still packs lunch for her to take to work). And Suzanne — married herself.

In our family, I have had a reputation for being overly serious, responsible, reserved, rigid and inflexible. (My wild and crazy phase lasted for about two weeks during law school —don’t ask.) Steve’s family viewed him in a similar light. Hence, our loved ones dubbed our marriage as the union of “Mr. and Mrs. Excitement”. They were being sarcastic ironic. (I guess you won’t be shocked to learn that we are both the first born child in our respective families).

Four Things to Know About Mr. Excitement

Dr. Steven Albelda

Dressed for his day job.

1)  His real name is Steve Albelda. He’s a physician-scientist and professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. His research is focused on trying to find effective treatments for mesothelioma and lung cancer. (This could be why he’s kind of a serious guy).

2)  In his research laboratory, he trains other physicians and scientists from all around the United States and the world. He also collaborates with other medical researchers nationally and internationally. Therefore, his work results in many travel opportunities.

Although I would like you to believe that the New York Times and/or National Geographic pay for all my travel because I’m a brilliant travel writer, it appears they haven’t yet discovered me. Therefore, I’m very lucky that Steve invites me along as a trailing spouse on many of his work trips. When possible, we tack on vacation time to be able to see more of wherever his work has taken us—not to mention that he did a three month sabbatical at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center (meticulously timed to coincide with winter months) and a five week around the world trip.

We raised our two sons about 15 minutes from my parents’ house, so I was able to travel with him even when they were young. My parents would move into our house while we were gone. Now, the only other occupant of our empty nest is our dog. He is a really nice dog, so there have been friends and relatives who seem are happy to have him stay with them. (Read my blog post about how to travel without your dog.)

ENP 500

Mr. and Mrs. Excitement seeming to amuse the elephants at the Elephant Nature Park outside Chiang Mai, Thailand.

3)  Over the years, Steve has proven that he really meant that “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health” thing. He works long hours and he usually enjoys his work, but he has always made time for me and our sons. We managed to sit down and have dinner as a family almost every night — even the many nights when our boys spent the meal sniping at each other, causing us to wonder exactly why we thought family dinners were a good idea. 

4)  He’s not perfect. He sometimes uses very bad words during Philadelphia Eagles games.

angel statue, chapultepec park, Mexico City

He got some wings in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City.

Things Thing to Know About Mr. and Mrs. Excitement

We’re way more exciting than they think!

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 Tell us about the Mr. or Mrs./Ms. Excitement in your life? Do you travel well together?

 

{ 108 comments… read them below or add one }

Marilyn Jones August 24, 2014 at 11:50 pm

Such a nice introduction to Mr. Excitement! I enjoyed reading about him, your travels and what he does for a living. I am sure you are very proud of him and all his contributions to science.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:02 am

You’re right. I’m proud of him and his work. I’m afraid that physician-scientists are a dying breed. The NIH seems to want them to be either physicians or scientists, but Steve is committed to bringing the “lab bench to the bedside” (translational research). In his opinion, it therefore helps to have physicians who also have done and understand basic science.

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The GypsyNesters August 24, 2014 at 11:53 pm

So glad to meet you Steve! We’ve often wondered if you were real – love the photo of you rockin’ your wings! -David & Veronica

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:05 am

You’re not the only people who I thought might be wondering if Mr. Excitement was a figment of my imagination. So, I decided it was time to “formally” introduce him. 🙂

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Donna Janke August 24, 2014 at 11:56 pm

I’ve been reading your posts for a while now and it is nice to hear more about Mr. Excitement. P.S. My husband and I are also first borns – need I say more?

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:06 am

Yes. I don’t know if first borns should be permitted to marry each other — too much excitement for one household. 😉

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noel August 25, 2014 at 12:25 am

Nice to get a real name for a change, although I’m sure Mr. Excitement will always remain the same….great post Suzanne

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 1:08 am

Thanks, Noel. I hope he remains as exciting as ever. 🙂

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santafetraveler August 25, 2014 at 12:31 am

I still don’t get why iit’s not Dr, and Mrs. Excitement. He worked hard for that “Dr.”. You could be Dr. and Mrs. Excitement Esq. as you worked hard, too. Just sayin’.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 1:14 am

I sometimes refer to him as Dr. Excitement if for some reason, he’s in a post in a professional capacity, but I think titles have a way of getting between people. If I write to another lawyer for some professional reason, you can be sure that Esquire is after my name, but with my friends and family—nah. Interestingly, his foreign trainees, especially Asians, always call him “Dr. Albelda”—even when they’re quite accomplished professionally themselves. I think honorifics are a bigger deal in some cultures.

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Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru August 25, 2014 at 1:08 am

So nice to hear more about your husband. Not many honeymoon at Macchu Picchu; that seems pretty exciting to me! You look like Audrey Hepburn in that photo. Pete and I are both first borns, too. What’s up with that?

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 1:19 am

Interesting. Maybe first borns seem like good spouse material to other first borns because we’re so, um, exciting. I think Steve realized we’d be traveling as much as possible when I was happy with no engagement ring nor a fancy wedding, but I was pretty determined to go to Peru for our honeymoon. Fortunately, we’re compatible travel companions.

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Johanna August 25, 2014 at 1:22 am

Oh how I smiled! I love your humour and your honesty and the fact that you take us a little behind the scenes with all your writing. I don’t think we are exactly the most exciting people either, but I mean who hasn’t sat at a family dinner table and wondered why on earth you try to keep the composed and together family appearances up when World War 3 is happening right there over the Roast Chicken! Thank you Mrs Excitement for making me smile today 🙂

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 1:26 am

Johanna, I’m glad to learn that our kids aren’t the only ones who squabbled at the dinner table. Interestingly, when either of them had dinner with us alone, we found out they were actually capable of carrying on a coherent conversation on a range of topics.

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Alyson August 25, 2014 at 2:27 am

You two are great, and Dino, lets not forget him. I’m terribly exciting and so is Chef, we’re rather unpredictable and prone to bouts of doing things other would consider insane. Yet my mother always said I was sensible ( before disowning me) and we’re both eldest children. Maybe we’re insane with a very good awareness of our capabilities, or maybe not insane at all. Maybe I should write a post.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 3:15 am

Alas, poor Dino is usually left behind. He’s really good on a car trip — he just goes to sleep on the back seat for the duration—6 hours–no problem. 6 hour car ride—I’m the problem. I think you should definitely write a post about whether or not you and Chef are insane or are merely sensible people who do insane things. People can then weigh in in the comments with their opinions. 😉

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Jackie Humphries Smith August 25, 2014 at 2:32 am

What a great post! And we feel like we know Mr./Dr. Excitement and are sorry we didn’t get to meet you face-to-face while we were all in Hawaii earlier this year. I am surprised he didn’t mind you writing about him as “The Scout” would have shot me. . .

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 3:19 am

He wasn’t thrilled, but I let him vet it. Well, I let him read it before I published it. Of course, it was already written and he knew I’d be very unhappy if I had to scrap a perfectly good blog post. I would use the verb “tolerates” when it comes to his feelings about being brought along for the ride in my blog.

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Michele Peterson August 25, 2014 at 2:52 am

I enjoyed meeting Mr. Excitement and am impressed and grateful for his commitment to lung cancer research. A travel writing colleague of mine just died of it very suddenly recently. Interesting too that you’re both first borns — I also married a first born and its been very harmonious as you never have to worry about the other person not being responsible or doing their share. Priceless photo of you both working on computers – true love!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 3:24 am

I think there’s definitely something about marriages of first borns. (I’m sure there are exceptions that prove the rule). I don’t mind that we (and especially he since I’m now just a recovering lawyer) spend a fair amount of our together time hunched over our respective computers, but it’s nice to know he’s there — even if I can’t chatter because he’s concentrating. His ability to focus like a laser beam allows him to be very productive. I’m jealous and a little in awe.

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Mike August 25, 2014 at 2:54 am

You forgot #5…Mr Excitement likes movies! And he and will hit the theater when I make it to Philly! Oh my gosh wouldn’t that be fantastic to have National Geographic and/or the New York Times pay for your travel, Suzanne? I always get such a warm, romantic, life long soul mate vibe from you and Steve. And I love it. My Mr Excitement would be Phoenix. My Ms Excitement entails a long list of beautiful, wonderful female friends. You never know…maybe one of these days 🙂

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 3:29 am

Mike, if that day comes and you invite me, I will fly to Reno for the wedding! Last night, I kind of grudgingly agreed to watch a movie (on demand) with Mr. Excitement. We picked “The Grand Budapest Hotel”. This did nothing to make me more enamored of the genre. We actually stopped watching before it was over! I don’t know if I’d call us “romantic” in the “romantic” sense of the word, but I find working at the same table to be romantic. Perhaps that’s why some of my friends think I’m “low maintenance”.

PS: Phoenix. Awww.

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Patti August 25, 2014 at 3:24 am

Nice to get some insider knowledge about the doctor/mister. My mister and I are both the youngest of 6 children, what does that say about us? I’m pretty sure it’s the reason we only had 1 child – that and 13 hours of induced back labor.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 3:32 am

That’s kind of amazing that you’re both the youngest of 6. Ironically, I think the youngest gets some of the experience of being an only child because usually they’re the last to leave home. It’s also interesting that you decided one was enough — back labor notwithstanding. I think labor must have some amnesia producing hormone involved or there wouldn’t be as many 2nd children walking around as there are.

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Patti August 25, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Yep. The sister closest to me in age was 5 years older than me, so I was the only kid at home through my 4 years of high school. It had its up and downs, things were definitely much more relaxed by the time I was the last one, fortunately, I had a good head on my shoulders and didn’t get into trouble, but on the flip side my parents (no malice, just generational) were pretty much done parenting and I got somewhat dragged along – not as bad as it sounds unless your a teenage girl. Back labor aside – I think we had 1 child because after 6 years of marriage, I just wanted a baby, Abi wanted a son and since we both got what we wanted, we stopped. One is much more affordable as well, and our only definitely scored in the perks. And if you ask him, he’ll tell you he had a wonderful childhood, so it all worked out well, and now he and his wife are planning for just 1 child when the day comes – I think now-a-days economical reasons are behind the decision of an only child.

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Val Ter August 25, 2014 at 3:37 am

I’m impressed, encouraged bfor guys, you both convinced me, that miracles do happen in this world and souls meant for each other meet and make us happy by their light they share with us, Wish you all that You wish for Yourselves, guys, come true, long live true love and friendship, You Are Awesome!��

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 3:54 am

Val. That is very sweet. If you go back and read http://www.boomeresque.com/about/about-me/ , you’ll realize that there was at least one major stumble before I met Mr. Right. So, there’s always hope.

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Leora August 25, 2014 at 6:15 am

I enjoyed your introduction to your hubby. I suppose he doesn’t mind the discussion? I try not to talk about other members of our family on my blogs … they like their privacy.

Enjoyed reading about how your sisters married familiar personalities.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:34 pm

I think my husband would prefer that he never came up in my blog posts, but he’s usually along for the ride (or, rather, vice versa), so he comes up. If I blogged about blog design or the business of blogging, I suspect I’d keep him out of it.

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Lois Alter Mark August 25, 2014 at 7:32 am

Your Mr. Excitement sounds like a great guy. I’ve been married to my Mr. Excitement for 33 years now and there’s no one I’d rather travel with – or stay home with! Love the picture with the elephants!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:35 pm

I think the way it works is that he’s a great guy for me. Some people like more “excitement”. I’d so rather be content than excited.

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Guy Creese August 25, 2014 at 8:07 am

My father was a professor of Architectural History. His undergraduate students all called him Professor Creese; his Ph.D. students called him Doctor Creese. I think the Ph.D. candidates called him that because becoming a Doctor was their goal, so they fastened on that as his title. In Germany, of course, they have the right idea — they toss in all the titles — Herr Professor Doctor.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:37 pm

One of Steve’s trainees is now a Herr Professor Doctor in Germany. There seems to be a Teutonic attraction to titles. In England, on the other hand, physicians are “Mister”.

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Debbie August 25, 2014 at 8:09 am

Thanks for the introduction to “Mr. Excitement”. 🙂 Love the photo with the elephants! How great that his work allows you to travel the world. Seems pretty exciting to me and the work is so important. Interesting that you’re both first borns. Hubby is a middle child and I’m an only child. Not sure what that signifies, but we have been together since 1971.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:23 pm

Thanks. Birth order certainly isn’t determinative of a happy marriage, but there do seem to be quite a few first borns married to first borns. I’ll google it some time to see if that’s just empiric or if someone has studied it. Congrats on finding your “Mr. Right”—whatever your birth orders.

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Irene S. Levine August 25, 2014 at 8:55 am

I, too, am married to a physician/scientist (albeit a retired one). Sounds like you have both shared an exciting journey!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:24 pm

I wonder if my physician/scientist will ever retire. He can’t believe they pay him to do what he loves to do. (Shh. Don’t tell “them”).

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Roz Warren August 25, 2014 at 8:58 am

Sounds like you belong together.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:25 pm

Well, in my life, I’ve married Mr. Wrong and Mr. Right. I don’t have to tell you which is better.

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Jacqueline Gum August 25, 2014 at 9:03 am

I love all your blogs, but I have to say this is my favorite…so far. Maybe because I like to know more about the folks that I know but don’t really know…that’s longhand for friends I met through the internet but never laid eyes on! Laugh! That was some honeymoon! And how lucky that his studies have made travel so available for you! And with that the opportunity to share through your blogs. Welcome, Mr. Excitement:) The world is a better place because of people like you who devote their lives to good:) It’s a pleasure to meet you:)

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:27 pm

Thank you. Whenever a writer I respect says they like my blog, I resolve to keep plugging away. I also enjoy getting to know internet friends better, especially when I get to meet them IRL (in real life) — another silver lining of travel.

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The Gypsynesters August 25, 2014 at 9:55 am

Looking for effective treatments for mesothelioma and lung cancer sounds pretty exciting! All in all it’s probably a better nick name than Sausage Boy. 😉

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:28 pm

But your wurst boy is so cute 😉

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Nancy Wolf August 25, 2014 at 10:52 am

Thank you introducing, Mr. Excitement! Liked the part about how you met at Williams. And enjoyed reading about his work. I have my own Mr. Excitement, thankfully and his geeky part is what keeps him fascinating after 36 years of marriage! I so resonated with this post.

Nancy Wolf
Williams College Exchange ’71-’72
Also recovering lawyer…

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:29 pm

Whenever our sons “accused” us of being nerds, we would point out that they should look around and look who is pretty much running the world — Nerds rule!

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kay dougherty August 25, 2014 at 11:58 am

He sounds like a good man, scientist, physician, husband and father and I think all of that adds to actually being Mr. Excitement and not in a sarcastic way!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:29 pm

I’m happy to be Mrs. Excitement.

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Neva @ Retire for the Fun of it August 25, 2014 at 12:16 pm

Now that you introduced your husband to us, you have opened up a subject that I took for granted. What an interesting subject about families. Both my hubby (of 50+ years) and I are the second born. I would love to see a survey on if children are more attracted to the same family placements or if this is a fluke.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 12:32 pm

Judging completely unscientifically (the way I judge most things), it seems anecdotally from the responses here, that it happens more than chance would dictate. When I need something to do to procrastinate, I think I’ll try doing some research.

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nan @ lbddiaries August 25, 2014 at 1:01 pm

Alpha Hubby is last born in a family of 9 (the older ones were out of the house long before he came along so he was stuck with a brother and 2 of 3 sisters who tortured him). I was first of two. Somehow we mesh perfectly. When we do road trips we talk the entire time altho each time I bring my Kindle thinking I’ll read. I like that we still haven’t run out of things to talk about! I think our life experiences turned us into who we are now – I know he was super serious when we met but then he’d gone thru a couple of years of loss – late wife, mother, brother, sister-in-law, sister. He’s Electrical Engineer so slightly methodical, too, but now getting him to be serious is very difficult (thus I think that is his true personality – or growing age!). Shhhh, I kinda like it!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 1:17 pm

I don’t think I’d describe Mr. Excitement as chatty, but I would say he’s mellowed over the years. Life and loss seem to have that effect on people. They seem to help us get things into the proper perspective. Carpe diem.

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Carole Terwilliger Meyers August 25, 2014 at 5:21 pm

Thanks for introducing me to Mr. Excitement. It sounds like he earned his angel wings found in Mexico.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 6:05 pm

Well, he has earned them with me anyway.;-) Others will have to decide for themselves.

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Juergen August 25, 2014 at 5:25 pm

Nice to meet “him”.
I guess our relationship wouldn’t work either if we would not be interested in the same values and things to do. After all: during our last trip we managed to live and travel for over 3 years in a small truck camper, roughly 6 sqm (or 65 square feet) in size. This only strengthened our love and relationship – so now we’re back to do the same again…
Though: we have friends where she’s a real travel addict and he’s a home buddy who hardly ever goes with her – and somehow it seems to work too! But don’t ask me how…

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 6:10 pm

I have this “fantasy” that we could do the same thing, but I’m afraid Mr. Excitement in no way shares my fantasy. So, I’ll just continue to trail along on his work trips — he does let me plan our travel around the place he has to be for a meeting or conference. I agree with you that shared values are an important cornerstone of a relationship, and it’s nice to share interests, but I think having some different interests doesn’t derail a relationship. I’ve also known some couples where only one was a traveler. As long as each person trusts and respects their partner, I have seen it work.

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Sabina August 25, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Thanks for the intro to Dr. Excitement!

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Suzanne Fluhr August 25, 2014 at 6:02 pm

Sabina, you’re one of the people who knew me before I met him when I was 17.

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Leigh August 25, 2014 at 11:42 pm

Pleased to meet Mr. Excitement – and just because he does serious work doesn’t mean he can’t have a lighter side. Hope you’re together for many decades yet. A fun post to read.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 26, 2014 at 1:36 am

He does have a lighter side, but it’s not on open display all that often.

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Shelley August 26, 2014 at 2:49 am

Thank you for the post. It’s nice to meet Mr. Excitement, and sounds like you are a great match! I’m a firstborn married 32 yrs to first son. I’m the travel addict but he’s the willing accomplice so it all works out.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 26, 2014 at 4:04 am

I think I’m the wanderluster in our marriage. My husband has to travel for work, but then he’s willing to let me plan a travel itinerary around that. It works for us.

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Brian August 27, 2014 at 12:16 pm

Sounds like you two have a great time together. I know what you mean about the kids sniping at each other at the dinner table!!

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Doreen Pendgracs August 27, 2014 at 8:48 pm

Thx very much for introducing Mr. Excitement to us, Suzanne. I hope to meet him someday soon. Cheers and happy travels.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 27, 2014 at 9:18 pm

Doreen—if you bring chocolate and wine, I’m sure it can be arranged 🙂

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Michelle August 27, 2014 at 10:28 pm

God Bless Mr Excitement. I so admire him for looking for a cure to lung cancer – my step father passed from it in October 2012. He sounds like a really great guy and I’m genuinely so happy you met such a great match for you.
My better half and I travel well together when we can. We don’t like to leave our many pets for long and he would NEVER visit some of the countries that I have which is OK. I’m grateful that he supports my wishes to travel.

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Suzanne Fluhr August 27, 2014 at 11:02 pm

Michelle, I totally get the not wanting to leave your pets thing. There’s a link to my blog post about how to travel without your dog above in this blog post, but when you’re talking about multiple pets, it becomes much more complicated.

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Nancie August 27, 2014 at 10:36 pm

Remember, I actually meant Steve in Chiang Mai. That was a very short introduction, and I got the impression that he is a nice man. This post confirms my first impression 🙂

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Suzanne Fluhr August 27, 2014 at 11:03 pm

Nancie, as some of us have learned the hard way, first impressions of men can sometimes be misleading ;-), but in this case, you are right. He’s a nice man. 🙂

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Nancie August 27, 2014 at 11:27 pm

And “meant” should be “met” 🙂

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Suzanne Stavert August 28, 2014 at 12:04 pm

Thank you for the introduction. So nice to know the man behind the curtain. I enjoy your sarcasm and thoughtful musings. Have a great day!

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Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer) August 30, 2014 at 12:23 am

Hmm. I’m trying to keep the sarcasm in check.

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Mary Hill August 28, 2014 at 3:46 pm

I met my Mr. Excitement at a line dance hall. He was shy and gorgeous. He also passed my litmus test. He loves dogs. I am glad you have such a great companion.

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Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer) August 30, 2014 at 12:24 am

Mary, as you know. When it’s good. It’s great.

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Balroop Singh August 29, 2014 at 3:52 pm

Hi Suzanne,

I hope you can understand what nudged me to your wonderful site, I wish I should have come here earlier. I am very grateful to you for your kind gesture of informing me about Phoenix’s sad departure. You have won my heart!

When I read this post, I could understand what has drawn me…the innate goodness is dripping out of your words and the way you have described Mr. Excitement!! I love it! Thanks for sharing!
I call my husband Mr. Serene and we have been together since 1978. He can remain calm in the most trying and turbulent times! He is the first born but hardly possesses any traits of being first born. One of my poems is dedicated to him – you can read it by clicking on this link: http://balroop2013.wordpress.com/2014/02/13/where-is-he/

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Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer) August 30, 2014 at 12:24 am

Thank you, Balroop. Welcome to Boomeresque.

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Cathy Sweeney August 29, 2014 at 9:13 pm

Nice to meet mysterious Mr. Excitement and his alter ego, Steve. Would be great to have a chance to meet him in person and introduce you both to Mr. TWS, who prefers to remain rather mysterious on my blog. Keep that personal voice in your stories — love reading about the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Excitement.

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Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer) August 30, 2014 at 12:27 am

Cathy, I think we missed being able to pull off a get together for the 4 of us by 1 day when we were in Palo Alto in May. Oh well. Somewhere. Someday. Somehow. 🙂

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Rena McDaniel-The Diary of an Alzheimer's Caregiver September 1, 2014 at 11:04 am

It’s so nice to meet Mr. Excitement! I have one of my own and it life so much happier! Congratulations on you both for your long marriage and wonderful family!

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Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com September 1, 2014 at 12:06 pm

Hi Suzanne! I’m just getting into a bit of travel blogging myself…..and I will take your advice about people wanting to hear about some of the “personal” aspects of the trip too…AND by next weekend we will be in Mexico City (where you took a photo of Mr. Excitement in Chapultepec Park.) I will check out your blog to see if you have posts from when you were there. And in spite of your nicknames…you both look VERY happy when you’re traveling and that’s what matters right? ~Kathy

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Suzanne Fluhr September 2, 2014 at 11:16 am

I hope you have a great time in Mexico City. There’s a lot to see and do there and around there—like Teotihuacan.

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Haralee September 1, 2014 at 12:12 pm

A pleasure to meet Mr. Excitement, aka Steve. Looks like your travel blogs are happening in a different bent ! My husband is a grumpy traveler until we reach the destination.

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Suzanne Fluhr September 2, 2014 at 11:14 am

Most of our travel is organized around Mr. Excitement’s work trips. He tells me how much time he has and then leaves the planning to me. It’s the least I can do.
😉

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Carol Cassara September 1, 2014 at 5:39 pm

I loved this post and I especially enjoyed your witty asides, which I, of course, totally get, because I am married to a lawyer. ;0)))))

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Suzanne Fluhr September 2, 2014 at 11:15 am

Hmm. I didn’t know lawyers were known for witty asides. Asides, maybe, but “witty” and “lawyer” are not often used in the same sentence. 😉

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Rita @ The Crafty Expat September 4, 2014 at 11:01 pm

What a lovely post Suzanne! I am a lawyer too turned blogger and writer!
Hubby and I travel very well together, in fact we met while we were both overseas!
We are both the babies in our families!

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Suzanne Fluhr September 5, 2014 at 8:05 am

There seem to be quite a few recovering lawyer/writer/bloggers around–especially women. Is certainly more fun.

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Maddy Resendes September 9, 2014 at 7:54 pm

Being your “middle” sister and having married the 2nd to the youngest of a family of 8 kids – so I guess he’s kinda in the “middle” – I’m here to tell you that my life is just as whacky and unmanageable as it was in my teens as a middle child! Some things never change, but overlaid on those tendencies are circumstances that add complexity, are hard, are just what life “deals” and ya gotta roll with ’em as best you can. I am trying hard to develop some characteristics of Mr. and Mrs. Excitement late in life because I need the calm! Now that Steve is a bit of a celebrity thanks to being the star of your blog post, I think I’ll get his autograph next time I’m in town! or at least a copy of one of his beautiful photos – which I think you failed to mention is an emerging/emerged talent of Dr. Excitement.

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Suzanne Fluhr September 13, 2014 at 11:52 am

Mads, I could never do “whacky” very convincingly. As you know, someone had to read the map!
Actually, last year I devoted a blog post to Steve’s photography. http://www.boomeresque.com/and-the-rockets-red-glare/

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Lori Lavender Luz September 25, 2014 at 1:15 pm

First-born married to first-born here. We married within a year of meeting and backpacked through Greece and Turkey for a month on our honeymoon. Later moved to Syria to teach and traveled dozens of countries along the way.

We DO travel well together. It’s the stationary, raising-kids thing that has taken some work!

Loved reading the story of you and Steve.

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Suzanne Fluhr September 26, 2014 at 3:21 am

Lori, I think you’re right. Real life is harder than our trips.

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Franca October 2, 2014 at 4:51 am

Nice to get to know Mr. Excitement! I like your sarcasm Suzanne, it makes me smile 🙂
You know already about me and Dale and how well we travel together, at least most of the time, we aren’t married yet though 🙂

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Arnie Jacobsen June 6, 2016 at 1:50 pm

Nice to finally get to know a little bit about the all to famous Mr. Excitement. Sounds like a very serious guy, indeed. As to your question about traveling together. It’s the only way we do it. We often say to one another that if you want to go on a trip with a friend (mostly her friend), go right ahead. Has never happened though. Do we get on one-anothers nerves? Hell yes! But, we manage to get over it pretty quickly and not let it ruin a great experience.

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Suzanne Fluhr June 6, 2016 at 2:28 pm

When it’s good, it’s great to share travel with a spouse. At this point, it’s scary how often we know what the other is thinking

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The GypsyNesters June 6, 2016 at 10:34 pm

Congrats on 34 years. We are right behind you at 33.

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Jo June 7, 2016 at 12:47 am

I have read this before Suzanne, but I loved reading it again. It made me smile just as much all over again. Your honesty and humour are wonderful.

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Janice Chung June 7, 2016 at 8:28 am

Loved your sense of humour throughout the post and getting to know you and Mr. Excitement. What a super opportunity to travel with you spouse and discover new places. Cute couple in the 1980s…..and now!

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Anita @ No Particular Place To Go June 8, 2016 at 5:41 am

Happy anniversary to you and Mr. Excitement! As a long time half of a happy couple (we’ll be celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary in August plus 3 years tacked on while we practiced) I know that being part of a successful marriage takes a lot of commitment, hard work and communication. Sometimes there are quite a few “dry spells” between the exciting times but nothing beats a look shared that perfectly “says it all” and a memory shared! Here’s wishing you many more happy years ahead and thanks for introducing your other half!

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Vicki Winters June 8, 2016 at 10:30 pm

Well this explains a lot! Glad to know you are married to someone who is trying to save the world, or at the least, curing cancer. Nice work Mr. Excitement.

I’ve got a version of that, but mine makes vans for handicap accessibility and dabbles in video production. Well, he actually takes some photos, has a drone, drones on about nonsense, and makes me laugh…a lot. When he isn’t making me cry. Oh, the tangled web.

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Rachel Heller June 9, 2016 at 2:05 pm

How nice to finally get to “meet” the Mr. Excitement you’ve mentioned so often! My Mr. Excitement is very similar and great to travel with — most of the time. Hmm. I may have to write a post about him!

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Suzanne Fluhr June 9, 2016 at 10:30 pm

Please do. I’m not sure how you ended up married to a Dutch guy.

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Patti Morrow June 9, 2016 at 8:04 pm

How fun! I feel like I’ve gotten to know Mr. Excitement over the years, but found some new info in this post. You’re such a cute couple!

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Bola Akande June 11, 2016 at 7:51 am

Good to meet Mr Excitement. You make a great couple and it’s good to know you both share the passion for travelling.

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Mandi January 10, 2017 at 11:49 am

It is so nice to learn more about Steve. I love how you call him Mr. excitement! It’s funny the nurses always tell me that he is very reserved and quiet! However I do not see this! Yes the first time I had him he was a little quiet but after the two weeks he became more chatty. Every time he comes into my room of the new set of residence he always makes me play that song Mandy by Barry Manilow lol actually sometimes he will even sing it to me as he’s coming in! In my room I never see doll Mr. excitement he’s always quite chatty and a very smart and very talkative and very kind and most important of all he actually listens to me about what I am telling him! I can actually see him process it in his brain is I am telling him and he comes up with a plan together with me on how to solve it which is so very rare! Only my two lung doctors and my pain management doctor are the only other three doctors in my life that have actually done that besides your husband! I was actually surprise when the nurses told me that he was such a reserved, quiet man! Because for me I don’t see that at all! I see the smiles, the laughter, and the joking around when I have him! Honestly you must tell him he has forever touched my heart and I will never ever forget him and his and passion of medicine! Nor will I forget you! I plan on staying in touch with you if you don’t mind! I was wondering if it would be OK if one day perhaps maybe we could either Skype or Facetime? This way i could put a voice to the woman who was my Christmas angel? Also, then we could have a lesson right over the FaceTime or Skype and you could show me some stuff in person? !❤️❤️ Love Mandi

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grasya May 28, 2018 at 9:09 am

was reading around GDPR and suddenly diverted to this article.. your lives are exciting ^_^

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Marcy Schackne June 1, 2019 at 10:12 pm

A great read … nice to hear about your family. I’m sure if we sat down IRL we’d find friends/relatives in common. Either from Pennsylvania relatives or that your husband knew a physician/scientist cousin … Jules Lodish at NIH (Bethesda). Enjoy a peaceful summer. #SafeTravels

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travelmaping August 27, 2019 at 2:59 am

It is so nice to learn more about Steve. I love how you call him Mr. excitement!

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Biswajit May 4, 2020 at 11:07 am

Thank you for introducing, Mr. Excitement! Interesting post. I enjoy the post.

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Robin February 23, 2022 at 6:02 am

Such a great, funny post. I so want to go there! Wish you could be my tour guide.

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