An old boss of mine once told me that a girl like me ought to be happy just to have a job--a girl with four kids, no husband, and no degree. He listed those things specifically.
I was asking him for a raise, and I deserved one. I did not get one.
This is the same boss who, when another female coworker of mine decided she wanted to be a firefighter, accused her of "trying to be a man" because she "wanted a man's job."
Great guy, that old boss of mine.
Since that time, I have attended University full-time while working full-time, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA, moved into a different department at work, got a few promotions, and now spend quite a bit of time giving high fives to all my team members, male and female alike.
I bought a house, took a trip to London, got published a few times, survived my first car wreck, found new hobbies, revisited old hobbies, volunteered, made tons of friends outside my normal circle, and pretty much had the best time of my life focusing on my own growth.
All of this I did without the critical financial, moral, or emotional support of a husband.
Go figure.
Going through it all, I supposed it was easier to NOT have a man than it was to have one. I had more freedom to NOT do regular chores around the house. I wasn't expected to keep the house clean or do grocery shopping or any of the stupid things women complain about "having" to do all the time.
Eff that.
Pretty quick after I graduated, "Arturo" swooped in and scooped me up. It was a bold move. I had turned down a few men already, and I had planned to continue being single, seeing that it was working so well for me up until that point.
The funny thing about Arturo is he's a real man's man. He shows up for life, works hard for his paycheck, has muscles and stamina, works on cars, likes his privacy. Not the kind of guy I thought I'd ever be attracted to again. I was imagining I'd find a nerd like me with a couple of degrees and a passion for philosophy and art.
When he asked me out he said, "You wanna get together for coffee and talk about Shakespeare?"
Ummm...okay.
We've been together for over a year now, and I have no idea where we go from here. The only thing I know is that I don't need him. I am perfectly fine on my own. And that simple fact adds value to our relationship. I don't need him around; I want him around.
And that's the kind of girl I want to be. A girl like me.
I was asking him for a raise, and I deserved one. I did not get one.
This is the same boss who, when another female coworker of mine decided she wanted to be a firefighter, accused her of "trying to be a man" because she "wanted a man's job."
Great guy, that old boss of mine.
Since that time, I have attended University full-time while working full-time, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA, moved into a different department at work, got a few promotions, and now spend quite a bit of time giving high fives to all my team members, male and female alike.
I bought a house, took a trip to London, got published a few times, survived my first car wreck, found new hobbies, revisited old hobbies, volunteered, made tons of friends outside my normal circle, and pretty much had the best time of my life focusing on my own growth.
All of this I did without the critical financial, moral, or emotional support of a husband.
Go figure.
Going through it all, I supposed it was easier to NOT have a man than it was to have one. I had more freedom to NOT do regular chores around the house. I wasn't expected to keep the house clean or do grocery shopping or any of the stupid things women complain about "having" to do all the time.
Eff that.
Pretty quick after I graduated, "Arturo" swooped in and scooped me up. It was a bold move. I had turned down a few men already, and I had planned to continue being single, seeing that it was working so well for me up until that point.
The funny thing about Arturo is he's a real man's man. He shows up for life, works hard for his paycheck, has muscles and stamina, works on cars, likes his privacy. Not the kind of guy I thought I'd ever be attracted to again. I was imagining I'd find a nerd like me with a couple of degrees and a passion for philosophy and art.
When he asked me out he said, "You wanna get together for coffee and talk about Shakespeare?"
Ummm...okay.
We've been together for over a year now, and I have no idea where we go from here. The only thing I know is that I don't need him. I am perfectly fine on my own. And that simple fact adds value to our relationship. I don't need him around; I want him around.
And that's the kind of girl I want to be. A girl like me.
:-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a really big grin. Here's a high five:
Delete\!!!!
Congrats. On many levels.
ReplyDeleteRelationships are scary, I think. Don't sacrifice your freedom.
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
I second Robbie's Congrats. I spent most of my G.I. Bill taking construction inspection classes, to become a building inspector. Finnished the classes, never did become an inspector. But used the experience to design and build my own home and all the block retaining walls. Worked outside plant for a utility company instead, more money. Follow your dreams and regret nothing! Best wishes.
ReplyDeleteI wish you were still writing, but it is fun to see a happy ending in the making.
ReplyDeleteI am still writing, and I think about blogging every day.
Delete