Wednesday, August 24, 2011

A Thank You to my Husband

For the longest time, as in until the first draft of my first book was written, only my husband knew about the double life I lived--soccer mom by day, aspiring author by night.  The only reason I told him, was because I had to explain why he would be watching TV by himself at night for the next several months. 

When I told him I was going to write a book, I was actually giggly with embarrassment.  I half expected him to laugh at me, but he didn't.  I'm not going to get all sappy and say my husband was my number one supporter, because . . . well . . . he wasn't (men can be big babies at times--especially when they feel like they're being neglected).  However, he never faltered in his belief in me.  He never doubted my ability to write a novel and to some day get it published (still working on that part).  I once asked him why he never doubted I would finish it, and he said "Because this is you we're talking about."

Despite his confidence in me (two years ago), I still felt it necessary to come up with a back-up plan.  I gave myself a year to try this writing thing out.  I would write my book, attempt to get it represented, and then if nothing panned out, I would happily (slight exaggeration) join the part-time workforce.  Needless to say, that year came and went.  As soon as the school-year started, I half expected my husband to start leaving the help-wanted section next to the coffee-maker every morning, but he didn't.  When I approached him about holding off finding a job so I could work on my writing, he said, "Okay," followed by, "Yeah, I don't think you should give up on this."  That was a year ago, and the conversation of me going back to work has never been brought up since. He could've been a jerk about the whole thing and insisted I get a job and stop typing away on the computer all day, but he didn't.

I am so proud of my husband.  He works long, hard hours doing a manual-labor job.  He deals with crappy coworkers and working conditions.  He goes to work with sore muscles and pinched nerves sometimes.  This is part of the reason I keep going.  He works his butt off to provide for his family, and so that I can chase my dream. He believes I can succeed, and I don't want to let him down.

Whether or not spouses/significant others understand or are interested in what we're doing doesn't really matter, but their belief in us does. 

13 comments:

  1. This is so sweet. And you know, my husband has been the same: working hard, day in and day out, so that I can pursue my dreams. Having a supportive spouse makes the process SO much more joyful.

    I'm fortunate to also have a lot of friends who believe in me. With that kind of backup, how can I fail? Right? RIGHT? :)

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  2. That is cute! I could say all the same things about my hubby. It's so nice to know you have someone who wants the best for you.

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  3. I could have written this post. I too started writing too years ago, and gave myself a year to give it a go. I'm not published or anything, but I'm still working at it. The fact that my husband supports me means everything.

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  4. I'm glad that your husband supports you like this. That's really wonderful! :)

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  5. What a sweet, sweet man. My hubbie has also been a wonderful support through this! It takes a very special kind of person to be a spouse to a writer. We're so blessed we happened to find just those kind of guys.

    And don't worry girlie, one day soon, you'll get pubbed and make him SO proud. :) And I promise you, there's no feeling like it.

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  6. That is the sweetest post ever. Hooray for wonderful, understanding spouses!! (Mine is too. Lucky me!)

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  7. Hooray for Angela's husband!!! I'd buy him a beer and give him a hearty smack on the back if we were in the same town. That's awesome that he's so supportive of you--and well he should be. You are fabulous and I predict big things for your future. (I just asked the magic 8 ball it said, "Bethany is always right.")

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  8. Awwww! I love it! It's going to be great when you can get all mushy about him in your acknowledgments--when that book gets published! :-)

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  9. That's so lovely. And your very last sentence makes a very good point. My husband has no interest at all in *what* I write and I doubt would even read a novel of mine if it were a bestseller (he's not a reader in general, plus English is his second language) - but he has an absolute belief in my ability to write and that is definitely the most important thing.

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  10. Your husband is awesome. That is everything a partner should be, right there.

    My wife is the same. I have no stronger supporter than her.

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  11. Thanks everyone for your comments :o) I am so lucky--not only do I have a supportive husband, but I have awesomely supportive blog followers/tweeps! You're right Greenwoman, how can I not succeed with backup like that? ;o)

    @Amanda-- My husband is the same way! He is not a reader. At all. If it doesn't have pictures of cars in it, he's not interested in it, lol ;o) We make an odd pair ;o)

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  12. That is very, very cool of him. One good thing about my ex I can say is that he was supportive of my writing, even before there was good reason to be.

    Having that kind of backup is imperative!

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  13. Yes, your first book should be dedicated to this man! Me, I am married to a creative type as well, so both of us want to quit our jobs and write music and poetry and whatnot. Finance problem!

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