Sunday, February 13, 2011

Through the Opera Glasses - 72 - Share Your Love Story Linky Party











Karen at My Desert Cottage is hosting a romantic Valentine's Day event over at her blog today.












If you'd like to take part, just post the story of how you and your sweetie came to be, and link it to her blog. Then dive into the sea of romantic tales.

Here's mine:

Once upon a time, I grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, a small eastern Canadian city perched on the Atlantic coast.

When I reached my early 20's, I headed for The Big City. I settled in Toronto, Ontario, where I worked as a live-in nanny for an incredibly cool family.

I also took an evening-and-weekends job as a way of meeting people and indulging in one of my great passions - film. In fact, on the day I was filling out applications at a few cinemas in the west end of the city, where I lived, I decided to take a short break and went to a psychic whose sign was on the sidewalk as I was passing by.

She told me: "your soul mate is very near. He's wearing a uniform."

As I was still very, very new to the city, I couldn't imagine anyone in my life that fit that description, especially as I was not seeing anyone at that time. However, the rest of her reading was very accurate, so I simply stored it away in the old noggin.

I kept walking along Bloor Street until I reached a cinema I hadn't come across before - the Runnymede Theatre, run by Famous Players.

I went in, filled out the application, got a call a few days later and started working there at the candy counter and in the box office.











One of the ushers was really cute. He was a student at The New School of Drama, and we hit it off immediately. We became very close friends for several years.












At the time, I wasn't looking to be involved with anyone, and neither was he. I had a history of having male friends, and he had a history of having female friends, so we just assumed we were going down that road and left it at that.

We spent most of our time together, and I often stayed over at his parents' place in the guest room on the weekends, as we would watch crazy cult films on TV till the wee hours of the morning.

Then one night, as I turned to head up the stairs, he stepped in front of me and kissed me.

Strangely enough, when I started telling my family and friends, "You'll never guess who I'm going out with!" everyone said, "Brad?" without hesitation.

Apparently the entire world knew we were in love with one another before we did.
















Fast forward a few years, and this next shot was taken in our bridal suite at the hotel.












By that time, I was already working towards my Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Film Studies at Ryerson.

Brad's acting chops came in handy throughout those four years, especially during my fourth year final project.

That's him in the doorway, and me operating the camera. It's also my dad at left operating the sound boom, and my main actor at right acting as sound recording technician (a job he had at Citytv.)











It doesn't matter that Brad and I have been a couple since 1989. Every time I see him, I get the same thrill, and the same smile lights up my face. The smile that is only for him.














Because my husband has bipolar disorder - and in particular experiences rapid cycling - we can never count on what he'll be going through on any given day. We have a sit-tight-and-hold-on-for-the-ride attitude when it comes to his condition. No elephants in the room for us - we feed ours peanuts.

What Brad's chronic illness has given us is the live-every-day-as-if-it's-your-last immediacy. When you never know if your husband is about to go on a months-long downward spiral, or when you hug your husband and feel him shaking like a leaf because he's got agoraphobia and has to go to work, you cherish each moment as if a bomb is about to take you and everything else with it.

It's impossible to take anything for granted, which for us has meant a marriage filled with "I love you"s.















Brad and I moved back to my hometown of Halifax in order to help out with my gram. We all lived together with my mom until Gram passed away in December, 2007.

Now it's Brad, myself, my mom and our dog Xena. The wild bunch!
















On this Valentine's Day, I'd like to wish all of you the same joy I have found with my soul mate, the one who was truly very near that day when the psychic told me so. Even if the uniform in question was a blue polyester Famous Players usher's uniform.

20 comments:

Akelamalu said...

Julia that is a TRUE love story!

Thanks for sharing such a lovely story on Valentines Day. :)

Janet said...

Beautiful - thanks for sharing your 'Love Story', Julia.

Happy Valentine's Day to both you and Brad :)

Victoria said...

What a beautiful story that is! I love Toronto, I lived in a town called Oakville just outside of there years ago. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day with your man!!!

Jennie Marsland said...

A truly beautiful story. I really enjoyed meeting Brad the other night. Long live love!

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

I can tell from your writing that you have found true love! Everyone could see it but you, but you found it at last! My hubby and I went to Nova Scotia for our honeymoon 31 years ago and thought it was beautiful. Linda

Unknown said...

What a great story. So glad you found each other. Sounds like you are the perfect pair.

Jacalyn @ rmebathproducts.com said...

What a wonderful love story. I love the theme of not taking anything for granted like most of us tend to do. I am your newest follower.

Happy Valentine's,
Jacalyn

Unknown said...

what a beautiful...beautiful love story. it touched me so very much. i am honored that you shared it with us all. it takes a very special love to face a chronic illness with such optimism and courage. i wish you both a happy valentine's day!

Daniella said...

Exactly! He was wearing a uniform as an usher! Her prediction was right!
Your story is amazing! Thanks for sharing, and have a fabulous valentines day!
PS I'm following you too!!
xxDaniella

Sylvia said...

Hi, your story brought a smile to my face, you are treasuring every moment with your hubby and I think that is wonderful!

Happy Valentines Day,
Sylvia

Unknown said...

Aww, What a great story, Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the ride! Life is such a wonderful journey, Hugs Marilou XOXO

Karen Valentine said...

Happy Valentine's Day Julia! What a lovely story! I can't imagine what it must be like to live with an illness like that.Obviously it takes a lot of patience, a lot of understanding and a the GREAT love that comes from finding your soul mate. Have a great day with your sweetie!
xo,
Karen

Lynn said...

I have tears after reading your beautiful story. You and your husband are so inspirating, your love story is so inspirational. You are so right, you are living life as it is meant, in the moment, never taking each other for granted. Love the pictures, the smiles say it all. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us. Blessings on this Valentines Day.

Unknown said...

When we say I Do..it really means that..no matter how hard or easy life is, beign togeterh through it all is what counts. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day..
Yours Sincerely,
Shirley

Anonymous said...

I love it! And to meet at the movies, one of my favorite places in the whole world. Isn't it wonderful to be able to turn a yucky day around just by sitting in a seat and watching that big screen. I've had movie days where I've seen three movies in a day! Now I'm usually sick from all the concession food, but what a great place to meet. I hope your romance is "Hollywood romantic", always. Thank you again for sharing-cindy

Leah C said...

A sweet love story! Happy hearts to you both:)

Anonymous said...

Happy Valentine's Day to both of you!

Travis Cody said...

I like your attitude. It's a great way to experience life, isn't it?

animal print gal said...

Beautiful story, surely you are made for each other!

M. said...

What adorable pictures of youthful you two!