On January 6th, 1996, something HUGE happened.  The character of Andrew, played so beautifully by John Dye, was introduced to the world in the Season 2 TBAA episode "The One That Got Away."  For some of us (including yours truly), this was our introduction to Andrew.  For others, that came later.  Below, Rebecca and I share our memories of TOTGA and our initial "Andrew experiences."

Rebecca wrote:

I remember my first introduction to Andrew and TBAA was sometime in 1998, I think that was the year may have been 97?  I saw "The Pact" and fell in love with both Andrew and the show.  I had been to summer camp when I was younger and the show really touched me.  Was hooked after that.

I didn't see Andrew's first episode TOTGA till much later and it always made me think of my days in Pharmacy school,  yes everyone was super competitive, but not to that extent.  I did meet my husband there.  I really liked the episode!

From Jenni:

I've shared my experience before on first seeing TOTGA the night it aired.  Short version: I didn't get who the new guy was and wanted Adam back.  Oh the irony...  It's funny to think back on me at the ripe old age of thirteen (and a half!) likely wrinkling my nose at the guy with bad shoes.  If only she knew that there would start seventeen years of crushing on the same actor and the same character.  Sometimes I wonder if on some level I did know and that was at the root of my initial negative reaction to John-as-Andrew.  I was going to be leaving the only school I'd known for 9 years, the only class, the only teachers, and really the only neighborhood.  I didn't need any more change and that dude had change written all over him.

Maybe that's why I have so many traditions attached to John: must watch TOTGA every January 6th whilst sipping orange juice and/or ginger ale, must have the same drink and a dessert every September 20th, must watch every TBAA Christmas episode every Christmas season, one piece of jewelry must somehow reference John if I am leaving the house, and so many more.  Traditions provide some grounding even amidst change.  I think my need for them explains a lot of why I grew so attached to Andrew.  As an angel of death, he reminds us of the most momentous change we'll all face.  But John's portrayal of him was such a perfect blend of ethereal and grounded, mysterious and comfortable, different and the same that change seems a lot less scary. 

Looking back, it seems all the more perfect that our introduction to Andrew involved Della Reese singing "The Rose" which features these lyrics by Amanda McBroom:


Just as the seasons change from the killing frost of the winter to the blooming and color of spring, so will this life eventually lead to a greater Life of much beauty and eternal love.  I'm very glad that there was a guy with bad shoes to remind me of that for seventeen years and counting.

So now to look forward...  I have made some resolutions related to JABB (frankly they're the only resolutions I've made!) and I'm gonna share them here in hopes I'll actually stick to them this way!