For every four miserable game widows there is the polar opposite - a game spouse. These elusive creatures share the same passion and understand the crazy schedules. Most of these relationships began either playing in the same game, or, in rare occasions someone starts as the date of the gamer and gets drawn into the game. If you ask most of the females about how they met their spouse, or why they married them the answer is usually something along the line of this was the best GM or player they ever met and wanted to guarantee a seat in future games. No word of a lie. Because seriously, there is a vast ocean of male players to choose from and (unfortunately) a distinct lack of female gamers. So from the female perspective it is easy to find a date, but more difficult to find a mate. Because, let's be honest, the gamer stereotype was not plucked out of someone's imagination.
So let's pretend Suzie is a typical gamer chick. Sad to say but she is not runway material, nor does she try to dress like it. (That is not to say Suzie isn't cute, funny, intelligent, or any other kinds of attractive, but just not a fashion model). So Suzie is in college and likes to game so she joins the gaming club on campus and signs up to play. Her first encounter is the GM (let's go with it being a guy) who immediately notices she is a girl, as they are usually observant people. If he has a girlfriend he may check her out for the future, and if he doesn't she will probably get preferential treatment. The next step for Suzie is to come to her first game and figure out where is the best place to sit. Close enough to the GM and then far away from anyone that drools.
So, seat acquired she meets the rest of the group. I love gamers, but we all know that they typically are not a whole table of gorgeous models either. And, since it is college, many if not most of them will be single. So Suzie is immediately set upon by the lech to her left while the very sweet nerd on her right begins to tell her all about the campaign, especially the parts involving his character. Now I am not picking on anyone or even saying all teenage male gamers are like that, but I am betting most of the females out there that gamed in college are laughing their pants off.
Eventually Suzie will find Mr Right. Hopefully he games, and perhaps he was the best GM she ever had. Now Suzie and Mr Right - let's call him Dave - beign their life. No gaming widow as they find groups where they can join together, perhaps with other gaming couples. Hopefully this will continue, but there may come a time where Dave decides he prefers historical miniatures and Suzie decides she likes live action gaming. So they end up gaming on different days and find they are both game widows on a part time bases. While this may seem like a bad thing, Suzie may find out that, at least for a little while, she prefers to have something that is separate from Dave. A little time apart. Dave may find that just hanging out with the guys has its advantages. That doesnt' mean that Suzie and Dave are headed for divorce, it means they reached a point in their relationship where they want different things. At least until the next mutual game comes along.
All in all, spouses that both game have it made. There is no confusion on what exactly it is the other is doing when they go out. They can share stories on their characters knowing the other isn't just smiling and nodding. And long after they are too old or sick to take care of themselves they can run games in the nursing home.
