#CoupleGoals: Stuff my Husband Says during Blog Research
February 10, 2023
Lately, I've had several English students ask me what dating is like in the USA, and I always struggle to answer, because I haven't been on a first date since (checks notes) 2010. I met my husband in high school.
Wait, you actually married your high school sweetheart? That's just too idyllic.
-former boss of mine
Yes, seriously. In fact, here's a yearbook picture of the DePaul Catholic Music Ministry, with us both in it:
Over the years, I've gotten a range of reactions to the concept of marrying someone I met when I was 15, including things like Wow! How old-fashioned! And also things like really?! Why'd you settle for someone you met so early? When I think about what has made our relationship successful, though, the main factor that comes to mind is not our ages or how we started. Instead, what stands out is the unwavering support for each other's interests and hobbies.
That includes this here blog, for which Bryan has been assisting in my research since the very beginning. And by that, I mean he is always willing to watch stuff with me. All 15 seasons of Supernatural. 26 Bond movies. 57 years' worth of Star Trek. An episode of MacGyver that we've already seen twice, but are re-watching for podcasting purposes. You name a franchise that's been accused of sexism, and Bryan is willing to discuss it, just so I can refine my thoughts before writing this blog.
With that in mind, therefore, I'd like to dedicate my Valentine's Day post to comments Bryan has made recently while researching Dead Fictional Girlfriends and Boyfriends. For example:
[Upon learning that MacGyver cast Elyssa Davalos as 2 different roles in the same month]
You know how Black Widow always had the problem that she’s gotta represent every woman because she’s the only woman? MacGyver literally said "this one actress can be every woman." That should’ve been written as a feminist parody.
[After hearing some Stargate SG-1 fans hate Sam Carter's boyfriend, Pete, because he's not the One True Pairing]
What’s wrong with Pete? If Carter was going to get together with O’Neill, they’ve had 8 years to do it!
[When I asked if I should include a certain girl on someone's list]
No. They didn’t kiss or mention love, they just made doe eyes at each other.
[Following the Stargate SG-1 episode "Grace"]
That was a whole episode that explains why Carter is unwilling to move on as long as the will-they-or-won’t-they thing exists. Are we gonna find out why Jack is so attached to it?
[Regarding the MacGyver episode "Jerico Games"]
Did this episode air before or after marital rape was outlawed?*
*(By the way, did you know marital rape is still legal in some states and situations?)
[About "MacGyver's Women"]
It’s a good thing this fandom has you to point out that that episode was not merely bad, but also very toxic.
[Following this painful scene from Stargate: Atlantis]
Me: I’m so glad they sent a woman into this scene to express the man’s emotions.
Bryan: And in a low-cut shirt, no less.
[Watching the same show]
Bryan: John Sheppard's had such bad luck lately, getting turned into a bug and getting kidnapped and getting framed for murder.
Me: That last one was Cameron Mitchell on SG-1.
Bryan: Oh dear, I’m getting my mediocre white men mixed up.
[when Mitchell and Sheppard meet up in a crossover event]
Oh! They have the same hair! They’re the same height! It’s like somebody cloned a man! I knew they were both boring white military men, but them in the same frame is a lot! (pause) Maybe I'm going too far...one of them is Southern. And the other is nondescript.
[texting me while we're in the same room]
Hey, I just made this:
Well ladies, Bryan is taken, and no, he doesn't have brothers you can date. But at a time when actual psychologists are observing "dating opportunities for heterosexual men are diminishing as relationship standards rise," I think it's important to remember that having standards is a good thing. Don't set the bar low. Go out there and keep looking until you find yourself a man who’ll do amateur feminist media criticism by your side. You deserve it.
Happy Valentine's Day, and keep your sexy lamps burning.