Monday, August 3, 2009

The Curious Case of a Good Frau

Dave and I have always been a tad concerned that as we age we might look funny together. Dave is perpetually youthful-looking, while I have been sprouting gray hairs since my early teens. He is four years older, but you probably wouldn't guess that.

When I met Dave at Ricks College, I assumed he was an 18-year-old freshman. Imagine my surprise, even my glee, when I learned that he was actually a 23-year-old returned missionary (read: marriage material).




Mmmm.... He was so cute in that sweater.


But in the last few months, something curious has begun. People are starting to frequently tell me that they are surpised about my age (28) because they expect me to be quite younger.

Dave and I were discussing this the other day as I stood in front of him wearing my American Idols tour T-shirt with my hair in pigtails, wondering why in the world people think I am younger than I am.

You may remember when I was at my cousin's wedding luncheon and the woman across the table was shocked when she saw my wedding ring, because she assumed I was a teenager. And I wasn't even wearing pigtails that day.

That conversation was not good for my grown-up self esteem, because we had already been talking for several minutes when she saw my ring. So, what was it about our conversation that made her believe I was a decade younger than I am? And why, on the phone a few days ago, did the woman trying to sell me a timeshare sound relieved when she learned I was older than 20? And why did the girl selling children's books door-to-door think I looked young to have a child?

This is a new trend, and I think it must be because my hair is getting longer. But I must also have a young-sounding voice.

When telemarketers ask for "the woman of the house" when I answer the phone, I put on my sexy, low radio voice and say, "This is the woman of the house."

And they're the only ones who get to hear my sexy radio voice since I retired it in 2001. Oh, unless someone leaks the video that was taken a few days ago of me reading a newscast about the old woman who swallowed a fly.

12 comments:

Cheri said...

I know how you feel. I still get people asking for the mom of the house when they come to my door selling stuff. Should I take that as a compliment?
I just tell them I AM the mom.

Jenny P. said...

You are so funny. :) It could be worse. I'm also twenty eight, but with four kids, people always assume I'm older than I am. Nothing boosts your self esteem than having someone say, "Oh, I would have thought you much older. Heh. Thanks for that.

I'm glad you stopped by my blog. It's always fun to find new ones that are fun to read. :)

Rachel Sue said...

I get that a lot except it's usually: "You don't look old enough to have 4 kids!"

In fact, when I was in labor with my 4th the nurses couldn't beleive it wasn't my first.

Carrie said...

Huh. I don't know if it matters or not, but I always thought you were about my age...which is 27. I feel your pain about your youthful sounding voice on the phone, though. Someone in the Stake Primary Presidency called me a couple of months ago, and when I answered, she asked if my MOM was home. Uh, I AM the mom!!!

valentine said...

i have a brother who is perpetually young looking. he is a dentist and people always think he is like 17 and want a real dentist to work on them.

that is pretty sweet that people are thinking you are younger, just make sure you don't go too young and turn into that creepy, shriveled baby.

leah said...

curious, indeed.
riddle me this, though - if you're getting (looking) younger, and he's getting (looking) older, at what age do you expect to meet in the middle? just don't turn into the idiotic 15 year old girl that all teenagers do, and all should be well. :fingerscrossed:

Wonder Woman said...

I also have a really young-sounding voice. I cringe everytime I hear my voicemail message because I sound like I'm 12. Even when I try to lower my voice. I'll have to try the sexy radio voice, though. That sounds promising.

Anne Marie said...

Love it! Much better to be thought younger than older. Although I can understand completely the desire to look one's age....yeah, especially after I got asked to dance at a stake dance a few months ago (I was chaperoning)...I'm 32.

Cranberryfries said...

Hey cool, were about the same age! I haven't had any old or young comments yet. Weird.

Cara said...

AHhhh, I love it. I get this all the time. Everyone says I'll love it when I'm older, but I'll still get wrinkles and saggy eyes. So in the end my baby face and child like voice are of no help for that adult respect I long for and deserve.

Dixie & Markus said...

I would like to add that you have very good skin. It glows with youthful radiance. Lucky girl.

Unknown said...

Of course I vote for #5.