Mark Wahlberg Answers Your Questions: Family Guy

Q How did you and [wife, model Rhea Durham, 32] meet, and how did you know she was the one?

K.C. ELLIS, Hermosa Beach, Calif.

A We met in New York City, while I was doing a press junket. I asked her if she wanted to come out with me, and she said yes. Then I asked her if she wanted to come to church with me the next morning, and she said yes again. So that was our first date: St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. I knew shortly after that she was the one, but I still had to make sure that I was able to be the man I needed to be.

I’m one of nine kids too. What are some of your fondest memories of growing up in such a large family?

BETSY HUMMEL, Davenport, Iowa

I have so many memories of all of us being together in that little house. But Christmas time was particularly amazing. My parents didn’t have much when we were growing up, but they always did what they could to make sure that they gave us a great Christmas. They always seemed able to turn our difficult situation into a happy and joyous occasion.

Are you the kind of father [to kids Ella, 7, Michael, 4, Brendan, 23 months, and Grace, 7 months] that you thought you would be?

KELLY KONECNY, Des Moines, Iowa

I’m trying to be the best dad I can. I’m probably softer than I should be, but I’m pushing myself to be harder. What I do every day is pray for the strength to be a good servant, father and husband. I ask for the ability to raise my kids, to teach and protect them, and to be disciplined and firm and loving and nurturing. It can be a fine line, so I ask God for the strength to not lose my patience with my children.

AFTER EIGHT YEARS TOGETHER, WHAT MADE YOU AND RHEA DECIDE TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE?

SANDY GOODMAN, Maui, Hawaii

We’ve been together for eight years and have four small children. We were like a married couple anyway-we just wanted to make it official. Nothing really changed.

What do you love most about being a dad?

MEGAN MCKINSTRY, Stockbridge, Vt.

When we watch TV before we all go to bed and they snuggle around me-that’s what I love.

Looking back on your movie career, do you have any regrets?

ASHLEY VIDRA, Rossford, Ohio

There are a few movies I did that did not turn out the way I hoped. I always go in with the best intentions and hoping that the movie is gonna turn out perfect. It’s just sometimes they don’t.

As a married mother of two, I appreciate how busy life is with four small ones. What do you and your wife do to manage some alone time?

JANET COUVILLON, Chatham, Ont.

Between 5 and 7, there’s dinner, bath for the kids, and then we usually unwind, eating our own dinner, having a little TV time and talking together. No matter how crazy things get, one night a week, usually on Thursdays, we have our own date night.

How do you maintain your “I’m a badass” persona?

LIZ BANDO, Springfield, Ore.

I don’t really work at it. I think sometimes it just comes out. I am who I am, and that comes from where I was raised and how I was raised. But I’m a parent now, and [my kids] are not going to go for the badass routine.

HOW WILL YOU HANDLE IT WHEN YOUR CHILDREN GROW UP IF THEY SEE BOOGIE NIGHTS?

KELLY MACKIN, Mastic, N.Y.

I know that’s something I’m going to have to face at some point. I just hope it’s not in the near future. I hope they realize that it’s a good movie, and it was an opportunity for me to grow and show my talents as an actor. But I certainly don’t want them to see it before they’re ready.