Craig and I lived together for two years before getting married. It wasn't a first serious relationship for either one of us; we'd both been married before, and both unions had been dysfunctional at best. One of the things that happened with my ex-husband was how he stripped away all my confidence. We met when I was in college, when I was in full on theater mode, desperate to be an actress. I did well. I got parts, both leads and character parts. I had dreams. I wanted to move to New York. But he couldn't deal with it. He was very much the jealous type, as well as obscenely practical, and he eventually talked me into giving it up and switching my focus to technical film work instead. Because that's so much more practical, right, lol?
Anyway, fast forward to the second year of me and Craig together. I hadn't done a play in six years. I hadn't even auditioned for anything. Any confidence or self-esteem I had, had been long ago stripped away by my ex. Craig, in his infinite wisdom, coaxed me into getting involved with the local theater group. On my first audition, I got cast as a high-strung secretary in this short, three-person play. I was the primary comic relief in what was a tense hostage scenario.
Craig came to every single show. The night of the second, I came out to the lobby after we were done - the cast mingled with people who stuck around - and found him chatting with two older women. This isn't unusual for Craig. People hear his accent and just want to talk to him. But as soon as he spotted me, he waved me over and introduced me to them. They had been sitting next to him during the show, and at intermission, they got to talking to each other. They were discussing the play, and specifically said to each other how I was the best part about it, how I was so funny, etc. Craig leaned across, and without even thinking, said, "That's my girlfriend." He offered to introduce me after, and voila, there I was.
Why does this night constitute my favorite memory (or at least one of them)? So many reasons. With that simple act, that show of pride of who I was and what I could do, Craig gave me back the first big block of my self-esteem. He showed me it was all right to chase my dream, because he would be proud of me no matter what. And I knew that loving him was the best thing that had ever happened to me.
The meme's days:
Day 18 – Your favorite birthday, in great detail
Day 19 – Something you regret, in great detail
Day 20 – This month, in great detail
Day 21 – Another moment, in great detail
Day 22 – Something that upsets you, in great detail
Day 23 – Something that makes you feel better, in great detail
Day 24 – Something that makes you cry, in great detail
Day 25 – A first, in great detail
Day 26 – Your fears, in great detail
Day 27 – Your favorite place, in great detail
Day 28 – Something that you miss, in great detail
Day 29 – Your aspirations, in great detail
Day 30 – One last moment, in great detail
