Fascinating read.
I'm lucky in that I'd already met my Fiancé before I started collecting. I've only been collecting for about 1.5 years (and am 32 now).
She loves me for exactly who I am and while my collecting of what society essentially classifies as "toys for kids" is completely alien to her, it doesn't affect how she feels for me. She's happy if I'm happy. Holy grail.
I asked her what's so funny, and her response was "You collect dolls? That's kind of immature." and continued to laugh out loud.
You dodged a bullet there mate. It's actually the judgemental, superficial types that are truly immature, selfish and broken on the inside.
Bring the toys on the first date. Tell her they like to watch.
Genuine lol. Ta. I'm wearing some of my coffee right now.
I've been with my prize wife for 13 years. Married for 3 and she is currently pregnant with my first child, due in 1 month. Obviously I'm no virgin.
She considers my Ms Marvel PF, She-Hulk EX PF, Wonder Woman DC Direct Museum statue hers. She can't wait for the Poison Ivy PF. She encouraged me to get the Enterbay 1/4 scale Joker and ARH 1/4 Leonidas statue. She also encouraged me to go to IKEA last week to get my besta, glass doors and LED lights.
I have a great career as an IT Security Analyst. She encouraged me while I worked ****ty jobs and went to school at night. I'm obviously no looser either.
I used to compete in Strongman and Powerlifting competitions and I still lift regularily. She would attend and film all my competitions.
I play video games and when I do, she occasionally brings me a sandwich or something to drink. If she feels she needs some attention, she will ask me politely and I'll be glad to take a break and do something else with her.
If your significant other cannot respect what you like and give you space to do it then you are not meant to be together. This is an immature relationship. You will eventually resent them for holding you back. This of course needs to be within reason... if you blow all your savings on statues, I wouldn't blame your significant other for leaving you.
It works both ways too. You need to be just as cool with them. A relationship should not be a prison. If it is, you'll wake up one day and realize you are bitter with a mid-life crisis.
My advice, don't bother dating anyone who cannot love and respect you for who you are and what you like. If they laugh at you and your hobbies, tell them to get out and find their own ride home.
I feel like a ventriloquist. Dude, you on Fitocracy at all? Love it.. working out, gamified!!
Last GF looked at my collecton and said, 'well, at least you are not a pedophile'
Hahaha - deadset champion.
At the end of the day, there are always good matches and bad matches out there... and you can't determine if someone is one or the other without letting them into your life a little.
I've had a metric ^%$#-ton of failed relationships because we weren't compatible in one way or another. This could be one of the ways, but then, it might not be too.
The main thing is to be strong enough to be true to yourself and your own likes. The is always someone out there who will love you for who you are.
In the meantime, if you're not looking for love and just wanting to sedate your hormonal impulses, I'd suggest (as others have) making your collection classy:
Display cabinets for the key pieces.. the not-so-key pieces into storage. Some art on the walls. Lots of space (no clutter) and keeping it nicely lit and dust free... and confined to one room of the house.
That says you're in control of your interest/hobby and not a slave to it. You appreciate fine art (because that's what this stuff is) of this genre and treat it accordingly etc etc.