Though I work in media, started a blog documenting my relationship and wrote a memoir slash cookbook, I am a shy person.

But this blog, and being on social media and having articles written about me and my sandwiches, have helped me to not only break out of my shell a bit, but to have a bit of fun laughing at myself. It’s also helped my relationship with E, helping me connect more fully with him and be present in our tome together.

Take yesterday. E and I did our first Meerkat over breakfast, welcoming the Internet-connected public into our kitchen. On a normal Monday morning, I’m the last person you want to see on camera. I’m not in a good mood, dreading all of the working girl battles I’ll have to fight ahead, and I snarl at everyone as I get out of bed and head to the subway. E, meanwhile, sings his way through the morning. He suggested doing a Meerkat as a way to have some fun on a Monday.

We filmed the segment in our robes, straight out of the shower, before morning coffee, in our kitchen. Totally real, totally us. We made some jabs at each other, we set up the camera at the wrong angle for the first few minutes. Eventually, we had breakfast: these poached egg, bacon swiss chard and cheese sandwiches pictured above. Ya know what? E was right. I rewatched our feed, and it was funny to see how I actually am in the morning (and I was nicer than usual, because we had an audience!). I promised to make an effort to be a better morning person. Particularly to E. Particularly since others are watching.

E and I liked the experience so much we did another Meerkat over dinner (sorry we didn’t announce that one ahead of time, it was a spontaneous decision). We cooked pistachio crusted artic char, roasted carrots and Asian slaw for dinner. We met some new followers, we bickered about the sex appeal of Birkenstocks (E finds none, I find the white ones quirky-sexy), we sang, and really enjoyed each other’s presence. No texting our friends, or checking work e-mails. Just really living the dinner experience, quality time together, in front of an audience.   We smiled and hugged on the couch afterwards. “We should do more of those,” he said.

I wonder if more couples did this if it would have a positive impact on their relationship. If you’re forced to put your interaction with loved ones out there for the public to see, would you be nicer? Warmer? More affectionate? Or would you become more introverted, and let your partner do all the talking? I betcha it would force more love between people. It’s why people on the Kiss Cam at baseball games kiss and snuggle their partners, and those that don’t are ridiculed by fellow attendees and sports anchors alike.

Would you put your relationship online, even for just five minutes? I’m curious!

Meanwhile, recipe for the above breakfast sandwich below;

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