When I was … 22 or so, I bought my first house (very young, too young, to be a homeowner, but that’s a whole other story for another time).
It was a small house, built in the 30s. I bought it from the man who built it, which was really cool.
I didn’t know how to decorate my house, because I shouldn’t have even owned a house. I should have been in an apartment somewhere. Again, another story for another time. I decorated it the way a child decorates his dorm room, because that’s about how mature I was.
Anyway, I was at Hollywood Book and Poster or some shop like that, and they were selling cast photos from pretty much every television show that had existed to that point, so I bought a bunch of pictures of the cast from The Love Boat, and I put them in frames all over my house, like they were my family.
Not a lot of people noticed, or got the joke, but this girl I was dating at the time got the joke, appreciated the joke, and has been married to me for twenty years.
I love this! This kind of story is my absolute favorite thing in the world to read. <3
Damn it, Wheaton! I already thought I loved you two enough but now you tell me this and I have to love you even more!
That is so cool, Wil. In a way, the “Love Boat” cast was a good representation of a family who was in your home every week. I’m so glad Anne got it!
Humor helps a lot in life, seeing it at times as this big screen absurdist movie. You’re lucky to have found each other.
Love it!
Awesome! Goes to show that you are each other’s perfect half. 🥰
How wonderful! What a delightful and warm tribute to an amazing woman and your relationship with her.
I also bought my first home when I was 22 (mr. damon was 26) and I’m not gonna lie, I loooove that you did that and I think it’s awesome and hilarious. I’m a little jealous.
Although we didn’t buy Xmas decorations for several years and decorated our tree with Halloween decorations (and a Jack skellington marionette on top). So we had our own brand of punk.
Oh, and that house was the first house I ever lived in. And we loved it. It was built in the 1920s!
That is an adorable story. Here’s to twenty more years!
Freakin’ A that’s awesome. I immediately started singing the theme song from the post title before I even read the entry, so lucky you… if I’d met you before she did maybe we would have gotten married instead
I love this story. Thanks for sharing it.
That’s a spectacular story! Great delivery as well, as always.
This is a hilarious story! Thanks for sharing. And happy 20 years of marriage. May you have 20 more happy years ahead of you. Cheers!
Clearly, she was expecting you. Glad you climbed aboard.
That’s lovely–congrats on 20 years!
What a smile worthy story! My mom & I laughed out loud with your remembrance and wish you many more years of understanding
#RelationshipGoals Always 🙂
Ok I guess I’m going to be the uncool person and say I’m not exactly sure what the joke was? Other than Love Boat was your favourite show and you wished they were your family?
I’m not crying, you’re crying!
<3 this!
Happy Anne-iversary, Wil!
And do you still own that house? Congratulations to both of you for finding each other in spite of, or because of, a little love boat house!
So awesome <3 here’s to many more happy years for you both 🙂
What a lovely vignette!
Captain Love Shack?
Congratulations on twenty years and thank you for this happy post, something I needed right now.
Congratulations on your first twenty years. May the journey only get better!
Happy Anniversary if it is today otherwise Happy Togetherness
Love it. As someone who been married for 36 years (!) I have to say, that brings a smile to my face and good wishes to the two of you.
When you brought her home, did you tell her to come aboard, we’re expecting you?
I am so happy for you both.
You know, sometimes things work out for the good. This is one of them.
Awwwwwww!!!!!! <3 <3 <3
“When you meet someone who gets you…”
Ohhhh…I love this Love Story! Thanks for sharing such a precious memory and connection, Wil!
Gotta love a good best friend marriage story. Congrats on 20 years!
Marrying someone who gets you is one of the greatest life experiences available. Congratulations!
I just have this mental image of Anne slapping her knee and going “You son of a gun!” and then you both skipped arm in arm down to city hall and got hitched.
Maybe someday there will be a Love Boat convention and you will be able to get your fine, glossy portrait of Gopher autographed!
This is a really sweet story. As the kids say these days: relationship goals.
What an adorable story! Congratulations on twenty years!
Private jokes and a shared sense of humor helps get you through the not-so-funny times. I’m so happy that Anne welcomed that time on the Lido deck with you……
I bought a flat in the UK at 21 (90s) which was very young. Didn’t rent just went straight to buying it as it was cheaper to pay a mortgage! I don’t think you were too young at all.
That is a sweet story but also boy do I miss Hollywood Book & Poster. I still have a catalog of their available scripts.
So I REALLY want to know, is cousin Isaac as cool as he appears?
Seriously, how was home ownership? You are lucky to live in a warm climate. During the 1998 Ice Storm in eastern Ontario, some neighbours of ours who were new home owners unfortunately had a lot of burst pipes. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
I love your writing!
Jeez. I only just now got the reference in the post title. Well played, sir.
Well, I got the joke. Did anyone else (other than Wil)? A drama on a large ship with a bald captain (and a few other similar cast choices)…
Great story!
Happy 20th Anniversary!
Next time you have company (like…in a year, sore subject in a pandemic now that I think of it) frame a picture of the person you are having over and leave it somewhere they are likely to see it. See if they notice. Always wanted to pull a prank like that.
Bravo! A survivor of 4 strokes that changed me into something unrecognizable (I had to reinvent my life), every morning I go on facebook to encourage people with something like: YOU are the only one who can change your programming as much as we want to help you! YOU got to first flush all toxic relationships and situations from your life down the toilet with the rest of the asswipe. Then be willing to replace that internal demon voice with positive thoughts (because the mind can ONLY think of one thing at a time). Then come back her3e to the rest of us who love, respect and cherish you!
Well done and keep it up! Oh and thanks for being a great role model!
Funny story! Mind you I bought my first house at 23 and could argue I was too young as well (probably was) but it was the smartest thing I ever did….tripled my money 6 years later.