Anne and I met in Melbourne in 1997 when we were both cast in a production of Hamlet. We were single and playing lovers onstage. The first time I saw her in the Melbourne Theatre Company cafeteria, she had a sleepy, grumpy look on her face. I still remember those intense, slightly scary green eyes looking at me. I thought to myself: she’s very attractive, but also quite formidable. At first it was a little awkward, but humour was the key. We’d sit on the dusty rehearsal room floor in our tracksuits while the director worked with another actor. Instead of practising our lines, we’d flip through faded 70s magazines left in the corner and make jokes about what the models in flares or with chopped beards might be saying as they shot the images.
The moment I knew: I burst into the living room with his letter held high and screeched, ‘I’m getting married!’ Read more
One day by chance I flipped to the horoscopes. I asked Anne what the stars might have in store for us in 1972. She told me her sign was Scorpio – the same as mine. My aim was just to laugh at the nonsense of horoscopes, but when I read it out, it stopped me cold: “You have met someone now through work who will be one of the most important people in your life, perhaps a partner and soulmate.” It was weird and uncanny, but we just laughed it off. I felt embarrassed because it sounded like some kind of calculated romantic ploy. I quickly flicked to the next page, but somewhere in my brain I knew it was the truth.
Later, when the show was well under way, we were walking along St Kilda Road after a performance. We stopped at the lights and I summoned the courage to say: “I think I’ve got one of those crushes on you.” She looked at me and said: “Well, that’s good. Isn’t it?” I took her cryptic, understated response as confirmation that she felt the same way. It’s very much her style – and I liked that it had a question mark at the end.
View image in fullscreen ‘There’s a levity and lightness Anne brings’: Peter and Anne with their children
After the show closed, our connection grew and we officially became a couple, filling our days and nights with dinner and theatre dates. She was living with her sister and I was living in a big, groovy warehouse in Richmond with other actors. I liked that when she’d come to my place, the bohemian setting made me look a bit more impressive and artistic than I was.
The moment I knew: I’d lost his number and was about to switch off my old phone for good – then a text pinged. Read more
Early on, we went on a hiking trip to Wilsons Prom. We were massively overpacked and it quickly became clear that neither of us was good at camping. As soon as we got back to the car, we made a beeline for KFC and gorged ourselves on fried chicken after days of miserable camping stodge, secretly thankful we weren’t in nature any more. Anne was violently ill all the way back – all that rich food after rehydrated dust! We both exposed ourselves as kind of daggy on that trip, and that was OK.
Anne and I share a clown-like heart that over the decades has helped us through hard times. Big life events like losing a parent have been somewhat easier because of the levity and lightness Anne brings – never letting me go into the dark places or stay there for too long.
View image in fullscreen ‘Romantic love has its seasons, but really loving someone also has to do with trust’: Peter and Anne with their children in 2020. Photograph: Krystyna Hessova
Since meeting in that rehearsal room, we’ve spent almost 30 years together, had two children and performed all over the world. Romantic love has its seasons, but really loving someone also has to do with trust. I trust her implicitly, she trusts me, and we don’t let each other down. We always show up for each other when it matters. We help each other realise our own dreams. That’s the thing about having a teammate you can rely on – it’s priceless.
We met working with each other as theatrWe’re still doing the artists, all these years later. A magazine from the 70s with an out-of-date horoscope written by a charlatan brought us together. I don’t believe in horoscopes … but I do believe in that one.
Peter Houghton, Anne Browning and Tom Gutteridge perform in the world premiere of Crapbox, showing from 27 October to 7 November at the Explosives Factory in St Kilda, Melbourne.
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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Moment I Knew Admitting a Crush and Getting Well Thats Good Isnt It
1 What does The moment I knew mean
It refers to the exact moment someone realizes they have romantic feelings for another person
2 What happened in this story
A person admitted having a crush on a woman She responded Well thats good Isnt it a calm slightly playful reply instead of a clear yes or no
3 Is her reply a good sign
Usually yes Its not a rejection It suggests shes comfortable and open though it doesnt confirm she feels the same way
4 Why didnt she just say I like you too
People often respond indirectly when surprised or unsure Her reply keeps things positive without committing either way
5 What does Isnt it at the end suggest
It invites him to agree and keeps the conversation going Its light and a little teasing not dismissive
6 Does her response mean she likes him back
Not necessarily It means shes not shutting him down Her real feelings will show in what happens next
7 What should he do after a reply like that
Stay relaxed Keep talking ask her out casually and watch her actions not just her words
8 Whats the biggest mistake to avoid here
Overthinking or pushing for a clear answer right away That can turn a warm moment awkward
9 Is this a common way people respond to a confession
Yes Many people use light indirect replies when caught off guard especially in early stages
10 How can you tell if someone is interested after an ambiguous reply
Look for followup Do they text first make plans or keep the conversation going Interest shows in effort
11 Whats the difference between a polite reply and real interest
Politeness is a onetime response Interest is consistent they initiate contact and make time for you
12 Why is the moment I knew important in relationships
It marks when feelings became clear People remember it because its the turning point from casual to romantic
13 Can a crush be admitted too early
It can feel rushed if theres no rapport yet Admitting feelings
