I grew up watching the Young and the Restless with my grandmother every summer. I loved the show but my 10 year-old mind couldn’t quite comprehend most of the scheming business ventures. At age 12, while visiting a friend, I was introduced to another soap opera. I saw this pretty woman locked in a cage by this evil man with a thick accent while the man she loves watches her through a pair of green goggles. It was all incredibly ridiculous, but I couldn’t turn away. All I wanted was for John to rescue Marlena from evil Stefano. John and Marlena were my first supercouple and 16 years later, I’m still watching Days of Our Lives.

The recent cancellations of Guiding Light, As the World Turns, All My Children and One Life to Live have been heartbreaking for soap fans and our beloved genre. We are all so attached to our stories and the incredible writers, actors and actresses who bring our favorite characters to life every day.

I will always be proud to be a soap opera fan!