I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy

Raise your hand if you have found your forever someone!

Yes. That would be me. Raising my hand (and also looking cute in front of Devil's Tower in Wyoming). 

I realize that I can't very well discuss any part of my life, career, or just anything in general without mentioning my husband. So, instead I'll just devote a whole post to him, as well as discuss some of what I've discovered in doing life with a "non-theatre guy". 

A little backstory on us: I'm from Texas, he's from Florida. We met in college in Florida and started dating when I was a sophomore and he a senior. I actually told him "I don't have time for this". As you can see, I made time for him. And he's stuck. He proposed in December and I became a ring by senior spring girl in college (something I swore would NEVER happen). We got married the following September. Fast forward 2 years, plus a cat, later and here we are. We have laughed, cried, fought, traveled, joked, and just plain done life together. 

My husband majored in International Business and is now working in the family business of franchising. He is President of the largest sign and graphic franchise company in the world and does an amazing job. But I don't really categorize him as a "non-theatre guy". He LOVES the theatre and supports my career 100%. In high school he was an active participant of his theatre troupe, and sung in the highest choir all during college. He cares about the arts, has seen and received the benefits of being a part of the arts community, and generally just likes it. We love going on a date night to the theatre. And you can bet that since we've been together he has been to every one of my shows....multiple times!

When people ask me what it's like being married to someone "outside of the arts" I respond with  a couple of things. 

1. If they're with you, they're never really "outside" of the arts. When they come home they'll still have to listen to show tunes while your cooking, annually watch 1776 on the 4th of July, or even play my favorite game of "Name That Show". And most of the time they enjoy it because you enjoy it!
2. You have THE biggest fan - maybe even bigger than your parents. Someone who loves you for you are and not because of how you sound, dance, or perform. They will always say you did great after a show and will offer total biased opinions about how you were the best (which is sometimes great). 
3. You have a conversation partner who can talk to you about things other than Lin Manuel Miranda and Hamilton. After coming home from a long day of Broadway chatter, it nice to have a break and talk about other things in life. 
4. You have someone who can offer a totally different perspective on life. My husband is a business guy and that's how he looks at the world. So when I come home with a problem onstage, he looks at the situation in a much different (and usually less emotional) way. It's very useful. 
5. Life is generally a bit more stable. Now I know this may not apply to every couple, and I don't always mean financially (though if it happens, awesome). But since my husband has a defined 9 to 5 job and is employed year round, there is a bit more stability to life. I know when he'll be home, when our off time is, when we can schedule vacations, and so on. For me personally it is so refreshing. Being a part of the theatre world sometimes gets to me. It's hard knowing (or not knowing) that you could get cast and start a job two weeks later. Having a partner at home who has a bit more predictable life encourages me to not get as flustered when things are constantly up in the air. 

Okay, Laura, but be real, not everything is perfect....

Well no, we're still in a marriage. And no marriage is perfect. We're still two people that come together from different backgrounds who try to navigate life together. And sometimes that presents difficulties such as: 

1. Scheduling. I work nights, He works days. That why I love rehearsals! Cause we're generally on the same schedule. At the same time, we have made it work and value our Monday nights greatly. We have to make sure we spend quality time together. 
2. Traveling. My husband travels frequently and often I am allowed to accompany him. There have been times I have said no because of rehearsals or auditions. It sucks, but it's part of the job. There have also been times when I have have said no to a job because of traveling with him. It's a balance of priorities that I'm still figuring out.
3. Rehearsal Buddy. Now I love my husband, and he loves me. And if I ask him to read lines with me he will. But, I'll be honest, I don't really ask him because he's not super into it and it's hard for him. There are certain things he just doesn't get. The same way I don't understand all of the things he does. That's why I have to find other folks in my life who can assist me (another reason to get plugged in with other artists). 
4. Emotions. I am MUCH more emotional than my husband. I say it's because actors wear their hearts on their sleeves (sounds acceptable right?). I give so many props to my husband who has had to navigate having a wife who is sometimes crazy. 
5. Friendships. Actors are a different breed. We work with someone for six weeks and they are instantly our best friend. Most of us are also a little more physically open than the rest of the world too. Giving a back massage to another is not unheard of. But my husband's coworkers might think I'm suggesting other things! Sometimes it can be hard to blend in with the other partner's social group. You really have to have the social skills. Thankfully my husband is a very gregarious person and knows how to work a room. And I know how to be the trophy wife when I need to be. We are also very blessed to still maintain a tight group of friends who have known us since the beginning. 

There are pros and there are cons. But in the end, he's mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way. The best part of my day is coming home after work to him. Sometime's he'll have made dinner for me, or other times we'll just sit on the couch and watch Netflix. It is so comforting to know I have partner who will support me, guide me, make me laugh and hold me. We are individuals, but we are also a team. We have plans to impact others in our respective work environments, as well as impact the world together. 

On our honeymoon in Banff Canada.  We are cold, but we are happy!