I started watching in the summer of 1983, just before my 14th birthday. Liz Chandler was in jail for attempting to kill Marie and she had amnesia…thought she was still married to Don Craig instead of Neil Curtis. Marlena was married to the "real" Roman. I remember Eugene and Calliope, Alex Marshall, Tony, Anna. There was also some character they kept referring to as "the Phoenix" but I had no idea at the time who he was until he came back from the dead for, I think, the FIRST of many times! 
Shenannigans was the main hangout place with Chris as the owner. Bo was just new on the canvas and OMG he was so HOT! That long hair and beard and the leather jacket and motorcycle…..I was TOTALLY in lust!!!! Hope had a crush on Roman at the time but finally came around and decided Bo was the one for her. They were my all-time favorite couple. They had just such a great romance and so many exciting adventures. The New Orleans story was my favorite…..loved the great costumes. So much romance in those days!
Days came on at 3:00 in the afternoon so I could watch it after school each day. I remember the bus was delayed for some reason on the day of Bo and Hope’s wedding and I missed most of it. I can’t tell you how furious I was! We didn’t have a VCR at home back then. I never actually saw the entire wedding episode (just flashbacks) until a few years ago when SoapNet played that entire eposide along with a few others during the Days 40th anniversary week. I’ve watched faithfully since 1983 with the exception of a few months in 1992 and about a month in 2004. I tried to give it up but just couldn’t. Although it definitely isn’t what it used to be back in the 80’s, I can’t seem to quit watching. It’s such a shame how they’ve ruined Bo & Hope, though!