What celebrity crushes did you have as a teenager?

I choked on a mozzarella stick once because I was so excited to see Pierce Brosnan on TV.

What did you want to be when you were little?

In kindergarten I told the teacher I wanted to be a daddy. I was heartbroken when she told me that I couldn’t.

What surprises you most about your adult life?

How the best things could never have been planned out.

What’s the one thing you’ll never understand?

Thongs. Why is that a good idea?

What’s the craziest thing you ever did for love?

The night I met my husband, I couldn’t wait until the end of the night to kiss him. I waited for him to come out of the bathroom, then I pushed him up against the wall and kissed him.

What scares you?

Ketchup. I have abnormal fears of it touching me and of accidentally eating it.

What’s your favorite possession?

The rocking chair my grandfather gave my mother. She used to rock me in it.

Something I’ve been struggling with lately is…

Learning how to ask for help. I’m a new mother, and for some reason I feel like I should be able to do it all. The prebaby version of me was full of energy, and somehow asking for assistance makes me feel inadequate. How do other women deal with these feelings, and how do they find some time for themselves?

Your Turn

To read more about Mattie’s dilemma, offer advice, or request a questionnaire so you can be considered for a future Real Life column, go to the Real Life Community Area.