Q&A: Adam

1. How did you meet your spouse? The same week that I moved to Portland, I met Audrey at a singles ward dance. I thought she was smoking-hot, so I asked her to dance. Of course it was a slow song, because I'm a terrible fast song dancer. We started to chat, and the conversation was good. Luck was on my side that night, as the next song was also a slow song. Then a third slow song (what are the chances???), so we kept dancing and talking. Soon after, I was shocked by what seemed as a shy girl blurted out, "Aren't you going to get my phone number"?

2. Where did you go on your first date? We went to Silver Falls State Park, which my parents suggested. There is a 4-6 mile hike that features 10 waterfalls. On the way to pick up Audrey, I got so lost trying to find her place. I called her a few times for additional directions, but got even more lost by her directions. Finally, I found the place, showing up 20 minutes late. While driving to the State Park, located south of Portland we got lost a few more times.

Upon our arrival, we started hiking down the only possible trail that didn't have any waterfalls. After about an hour and a half of hiking, it was obvious that we were LOST! After receiving directions from some people on horses, we continue to hike for another 3-4 hours. At this point, it was late in the day, and it would soon be dark. As panic moved in, my thoughts became increasingly filled of being "that featured couple" on the 11:00 news, who got lost out on a day hike. Worse, yet, after the date was over Audrey could go back and tell all the rest of the girls in the singles ward, that the new guy is a freak. We were seriously lost!

Audrey was cool about things. I was surprised, as most girls would have ticked off and upset. She kept saying it was OK, and we would soon find our way back to a main trail or road. This is the time that we really started to bond, turning the date into one of the best dates of my life. Audrey, who was overly quite and timid, began to open up, telling me everything about her self.

Finally, after hiking a few more hours and over 14 miles we came across our first water fall. It was dark, so we really didn't see anything. We were holding hands, laughing and having a great time. I kept thinking that I didn't want the date to end.

Not bad for a "marathon date". I like to think that the date wasn't going to end until we both realized that we were meant for each other.

3. What is your favorite memory (or memories) from a Cottam family vacation/get-together? I really liked the first trip the Audrey went to Cabo San Lucas with the family. This is mainly because it was when I realized that she definitely was the one for me, and that I wanted to marry her.

4. What was your favorite family vacation growing up? Staying in the tent cabins at Colter Bay in Grand Teton National Park. We did this a number of times. The trip where Sam fell off the bunk and got a concussion remains as a dear memory. We were all so worried about him. Plus I always have had a hard time getting the thought of his head hitting the concrete out of my head. Close finalists were the trip to the Northwest and British Columbia, the years that we stayed in the beach house in Ventura and the trips to Santa Barbara to visit grandparents. Also, I can't count out the trips to Zions and Arches.

5. How many grand kids do you predict there will be in the family (total, when everyone's done having babies)? 13 Total - 4 for Chris & Natalie, 3 for Megan and Quinn, 3 for Sam & Jessica and 3 for Adam & Audrey

6. What's your favorite Cottam family tradition? I used to really enjoy selecting yearly photos to put in a framed collage that we'd give to mom. Going through all the pictures taken each year was fun to see which memories would be selected to represent the year. Mom & dad quickly had quite a collection of frames, and the tradition died out. One day, I hope to continue it with my family.

7. What's your favorite meal/food that Mom makes? Roast beef & yorkshire pudding.

8. What is your favorite Cottam family holiday memory? I've always loved the memory of waking up excited on the Christmas that we got our first color TV. All the boys ran down stairs to be shocked by seeing that our little sister beat us all to the punch. She was sitting there by her self watching cartoons on the new TV.

9. Which of the Cottam kids is going to end having the most children? You'll be surprised on this one, my vote is on Audrey and I. We're saving up our money to go to a fertility clinic in California that guarantees octo-mom status in 9 months. I'd put my money on Chris and Natalie as being close runner ups.

10. What is the best piece of advice/lesson you learned from Mom & Dad? Working hard is something that will always top the list of things learned from my parents. I learned that there is opportunity in unexpected places from my mom as she was entrepreneurial with her sowing business when we were kids.