Today is a momentous day. Today David was offered a job. Wait, it’s not just a job offer. It’s a good job offer. We are a happy, happy household!!
David and I met at the end of August 2009. When December rolled around, he (and his co-workers) had already taken a pay cut in order to attempt to stay employed. The paycut didn’t work out so well and layoffs began (I believe David was laid off the day after my birthday). This was, of course, in the middle of a terrible economic decline that was only going to get worse. He got a few bites on applications but they disappeared into thin air and then stopped altogether when the economy hit rock bottom. Things have slowly begun to recover but it’s been a loooooong year.
A few days ago David got a less than good offer from a company in Silicon Valley…hourly pay for a position different from what he applied for that came with a 3 hour RT commute and no medical benefits. Oh and it would be a two month contract. In the words of the manager offering him the position, “It’s better than what you have now, right?” Not only was he left feeling like he was being taken advantage of because of the market, but all of those downsides AND working for a jerk? So not worth it! Still, he thought about it. We talked it over – talked about how to make our separate commutes work with one car and little in the way of public transit options. We discussed what life would be like for the next few months before the contract ended and he was unemployed again. His unemployment benefit extensions have run out and his last check was arriving this week. So of course, the decision was not easy, but David ultimately turned it down because our entire life would be turned upside down for two months of minimal paychecks. In addition, there was this other job that looked like it was going to come through and it wouldn’t require nearly as much lifestyle rearrangement…
David’s last unemployment check came in the mail yesterday. Today, he was offered a job. Full time, salaried, health benefits, permanent employment. He totally snatched that puppy up!
Tonight we are celebrating the end of this search and doing our version of the money dance. We’ll say goodbye to self doubt, daily financial strain, and worry over equal contribution in the household. Starting next week, we get to enjoy living together without the cloud of unemployment hanging over our heads, something we haven’t been able to do for most of our (fairly new) relationship. We are SO looking forward to the less stressful days ahead!
