Like many of you, I married a man who idolizes all things Star Wars. It wasn’t something I knew about him right away. I mean, he couldn’t scare me that soon. There was a well thought out plan he had to get me hooked. Before him, my only Star Wars experience was in fourth grade at a sleepover and I kept thinking I needed different friends if this was what we were going to watch. Needless to say, he had his work cut out for him. However long it took, I will say, he succeeded, and what I once made fun of has now become something I look forward to throughout our life together.
Watching Star Wars Together
The process began with watching a few of his favorite Star Wars movies at home. He was able to talk to me about the story behind all the action and I quickly learned this was really the truest form of good versus evil. I began to feel for the characters and the profound conflicts they encountered. Once we conquered the movies at home, it was time to start seeing them at the theater.
Watching with Friends
What happened next was and will always be something I always look forward to. The night Star Wars is released, we see it at the theater with a huge group of friends. It’s loud, there’s group laughter, sometimes group tears, and a ton of commentary– but that’s what makes it a fun experience. Leading up to that day, it’s all we talk about and we even rewatch prior movies to get our headspace into it. For one release, my husband was so excited that he saw the show prior to our planned time with our friends, and he tried to hide it. They called him out instantly and he hasn’t been able to get past this since.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Having your husband into Star Wars also makes for easy gifts. He has a collection of figurines and books on our shelf in the living room that we will continue to add to. Even though he knows what he is getting most of the time, this doesn’t stop his excitement upon opening. The childlike wonder he still gets in his eyes makes me just fall in love with him even more.
Raising Star Wars Kids
What’s even better is that he is now passing on his Star Wars fandom to our son. He may only be two, but our kiddo has had multiple Star Wars shirts, shoes, and books. This will just grow as he gets older. I think my husband is more excited to take our son to a movie than he is to watch him get married. I get it, though. It’s a right of passage and what could be more meaningful than watching the good guys win with your son. I truly look forward to those times.
So yes, this once Star Wars hater has evolved. I get it now. I’ve even gotten to the point where I can hold a Star Wars convo with coworkers and know a decent amount of what I am talking about– I know, Han shot first. Of course, I do have to cross reference when I get home. Call it geeky, call it nerdy, call it a cult, but once you’re in, it all makes sense. As my husband said, “You’ve got the purest form of the really good guys versus the really bad guys all packaged together in a really fun and cool thing.” If you haven’t crossed over yet, gals, I highly encourage it.
