What We Regret, Where We Feel Free, and When We Go to Bed

Hi, friends. The other day I (Katharina) was talking with a friend about how well we really know each other. Do we talk about everyday stuff too much, or not enough? Do we stay curious about each other in friendships, and ask our friends things we've never asked before?

Lisa and I talk on the phone almost every day, and we know a lot about each other. I think we're pretty honest with each other, and we've shared some dark hours, too. Recently Lisa was totally surprised to learn that I won't get on a boat if the trip lasts longer than an hour… We both get seasick, by the way. We figured that out in the same conversation.

And you, our readers, have been with us for sooooo many years. But of course there's still plenty you don't know about us, so today we're answering a few questions for you. And if you were waiting for the Teen Time column today: it's coming on Friday (for a special reason!).

What would you love to be really, really good at?

Lisa: Singing and playing the piano. Katharina: Drawing, and speaking several languages fluently.

What do you regret not doing?

Lisa: I'm not really a regret person, but I would have loved to have one more, a baby of the family. Katharina: I should have gone abroad for longer after high school. And twice I signed up for a half marathon and never showed up, because I just chickened out. Now I think: What were you so scared of?

Where and when do you feel truly free?

Lisa: When I'm dancing or galloping along country paths on a horse, and when I'm looking out at the ocean. Katharina: Skiing. Standing on a summit on a perfect bluebird day, and then flying down the slope.

What trip do you dream about?

Lisa: Several, or one trip around the world with lots of stops. Panama, Vietnam or Thailand, Botswana. I'd love to see them all. Katharina: I'd love to go to Australia and New Zealand. And I'd love to stay, just once, in one of those hotels on stilts over the water in the Maldives.

How would you describe your own childhood?

Lisa: Encouraging, happy, nestled in, outdoorsy, animal-loving, supported. Katharina: Carefree, protected, supported.

What trait do you dislike most in other people?

Lisa: Arrogance and superiority paired with a lack of empathy. Katharina: Know-it-all-ness, stinginess, arrogance.

What's your ideal bedtime?

Lisa: 10:45 p.m. Katharina: 10:15 p.m. (That's relatively early, but my youngest is still a bad sleeper and I'm just not getting enough sleep overall…)

If you won 15,000 euros and had to spend it right away, what would you spend it on?

Lisa: A trip to Africa with my family. But if I had two weeks to decide: the first contribution to a nonprofit I'd still have to found, one for people who get overlooked. Katharina: I'd travel with the family too, and we'd really, truly treat ourselves. And I'd buy the one blouse I love but think is too expensive…

What foods can you not stand?

Lisa: Mushrooms, marzipan, licorice. Katharina: Bananas, fish soup, oysters. (And since my last pregnancy, I've lived without meat or sausage.)

What job would you like to do besides the one you have now?

Lisa: I'd love to be a psychotherapist. Or president of Germany, working out of Bellevue Palace, so I could support lots and lots of charities from there. Katharina: I would have loved to be a judge. Or a midwife.

What do you value most about your husbands?

Lisa: Humor, intelligence, backbone, and being my rock when things get stormy. Katharina: His calm and his reliability.

What movie have you watched the most?

Lisa: Romeo and Juliet and Titanic. Katharina: Pretty Woman and Dirty Dancing.

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If you have questions you'd like to ask us, leave them in the comments!