Redartz: Romance and comics? No, we're not talking today about romance comics ("My Love Story" and that whole genre). We are discussing, rather, what (if any ) role that comics have had in your love life, and vice-versa. After all, we have dealt with parents and their influence, we talked about friends, and even had a post about our roles as parents with a comics slant. So, why not consider our significant others, brief crushes, or 'friends with benefits' ?
Personally, I've been blessed to have a patient, understanding wife; and a couple of girlfriends in my youth who had open minds. Back in high school, my comics addiction was pretty common knowledge among the student body. So my girlfriend at the time wasn't taken by surprise by all those comics. Rather, she gifted me with a few, most notably the 1968 "Spectacular Spider-Man" magazine. And although she is long gone to other lives and pursuits, I still have the magazine.
My girlfriend at college also accepted that comics hobby. In fact, she did some collecting herself. We would go to flea markets together and find books for each other. That relationship also came to an end, with an odd coda: a couple years after we parted, I actually ran into her at a comic convention! At that time I was engaged to the fine woman who became my wife; seeing that former flame was a little awkward. But it was no big deal, we spoke a bit and I showed her my purchase of an old "Sugar and Spike" issue.
Time moved on, and so did I. My wife was introduced early on to my favorite hobby, and she also accepted and supported it. She has given countless gifts of comics and comic-related items. She has trouped along with me and my sons to conventions, even standing in line for signatures when I was otherwise occupied. She looks out for comics when we hit antique malls and flea markets (and I look out for her "Precious Moments" figurines). When times were tough and I decided to sell my collection, she left the decision up to me; no pressure. That meant a lot, and still does. And she remains a good sport about it all yet today. In recent years she has become addicted to the Marvel films and the DC television series, and we watch them all together. I'm grateful for her every day. No comic fan could ask for a better enabler...
