Well, over the past two years, he's worked very hard to get his own designs made into vinyl- and its finally happening. I can't tell you how many frustrating nights were spent talking him out of quitting, or picking up pieces of resin after he'd chucked them across the room. Johan throws himself into everything he puts his mind to. There is no "half-assing" anything. Whole-ass all the way. Naturally, he's very hard on himself; extremely critical of anything that isn't up to his personal standards. As his wife, I'm completely biased and love everything he produces, whether he hates it or not.
Watching him go through this process during the early years of our relationship was something that helped me to really understand his personality and the way he views most situations. It also taught me how to be supportive in any circumstance. Over the years, I've found that giving support to him, making sure he knows I'm behind him 100% no matter the venture, is something he relies on me for. The community of toy collectors he's getting into is not always kind. In fact, it's more often critical and occasionally vicious. After seeing him struggle with his own expectations and overcome almost any obstacle in his way, I've developed a deep respect for the way he pushes himself to succeed and the role I play as his support structure.
This goes both ways, too. Last year, before we were married, I was trying to finish my last semester of college. I worked full time, was attending class full time, and completing an internship that was considered full time as well. I was home maybe an hour and a half each day, long enough to eat lunch with Johan and head back to work or class. I don't have enough hands to count the number of emotional, frustrating nights he spent telling me that it was worth it, and that he supported me even though we hardly saw one another. Needless to say, it was very rough and extremely hard on us as a couple. If he hadn't been so supportive of me, I know I would have quit despite being so close to the finish line. That experience also showed me that he would stick around when things got hard, married or not. In the past, I dated a few people who would run at the first sign of trouble or difficulty. Johan is the complete opposite.
Support, no matter what situation a person is in, is often the most important gift you can give them. In a relationship, its crucial to be supportive of your partner, even if there are times you don't want to. It is an incredibly defeating feeling, to know the person you're with doesn't support what you're working hardest for. Make the people you love happy; be there when they need you, and always be willing to let them know they make you proud.
