They say after three years, the honeymoon phase is over. So here’s a glimpse into the last year or so of our *honeymoon* phase:

13 months ago

I quit my corporate job after months working in a toxic environment. I was miserable at work but terrified to quit without having another job lined up. Everyone I knew was more or less unhappy at their jobs or at the very least complained like I did so I thought it was normal to be stressed and generally sullen about the work week, but I couldn’t take it anymore and Jake could tell. He told me that I didn’t need to keep working in a job I wasn’t happy with and he could support us if I chose to quit. So I quit.

10 months ago

After taking a three-month break to reset my health and mental wellbeing, I dove into the job hunt. I started reapplying to corporate jobs, looking for anything related to marketing, publishing and/or digital communications.

7 months ago

After four interviews where I realized I didn’t even care if I heard back, I realized I wouldn’t be happy if I went back to working a 9-5 office job, remote or otherwise because I didn’t really like social media, marketing, or corporate communications. I was scared. Everyone around me was asking what I was going to do with my life. Fostering dogs and taking care of our home were not acceptable answers. People only became comfortable in the conversation when I mentioned that of course I was also looking into getting back into teaching group yoga classes again.

6 months ago

I got a job teaching yoga at our town community center. It was there that I also started occasionally subbing Pilates classes, which not only improved my own strength and mobility but helped me lose the weight I had gained while working my stressful corporate job.

3 months ago

I interviewed for a job to teach at a Pilates studio. The job was mine as long as I completed and passed their training program.

1 month ago

I completed the BODYBAR Pilates program and started teaching at my local BODYBAR Pilates studio.

Today…

Reflecting on this past year, you’d think all of this would be incredibly difficult on my new marriage, but Jake never let us falter. He not only supported me leaving a job that was making me miserable (he wanted me to quit months before I actually did), but encouraged me to get back to the things I love to do—yoga, meditation, exercising, drawing, etc. While I was sending my resume out and applying to every office job I could find, feeling guilty that we couldn’t go on a big vacation this year because my income had vanished, he kept suggesting I update my yoga resume and see if any studios were hiring. He reminded me again and again that other people’s opinions were not important and if I never worked another day in my life, my life would have so much meaning as a wife, dog mom, foster parent, and yoga teacher (even if I only had my one private yoga client).

Jake sent me the link to apply to teach at our local community center and brought champagne home to celebrate when I got the job just like every other job-related celebration. He drove me to my weekend trainings at BODYBAR. He has asked how each and every class I have taught has gone. There is absolutely no way I would be as happy and successful as I am today without him and I thank the Lord every day for bringing him into my life eleven years ago. I believe he was brought to me because I would need him by my side to get through all the hardships life through my way.

I had no idea that a month before we celebrated our second wedding anniversary, I would throw us the biggest curveball yet and quit my job. But it’s like they say, if you can make it through the first few years—the “honeymoon phase”—then it’s smooth sailing from there. But I don’t quite agree with that. Because it doesn’t quite feel like our honeymoon phase is over. So here’s to the next three years of our honeymoon phase, baby, I love you more than apricots.

Until next time,
Leah Ost

P.S. I believe in working hard to make your life amazing. But I also believe that there are people who come into our lives and have the power to give our life meaning. I believe in meeting people when you’re meant to, and that every person in your life has something to offer—whether love, light, or a lesson. I am so thankful for everyone I’ve met so far and those I have yet to meet.