breckenridge photographer, buena vista photographer, colorado springs photographer, denver photographer, leadville photographer, salida photographer —
. success .
Zach and I got married almost six years ago, the first week of my senior year of college. He was a lumberjack and I was going to school full time while working about 35 hours a week at a string of boring corporate jobs. We were living in 400 square feet in an apartment complex where our neighbors were arrested for trying to kill each other in the dirt parking lot with screwdrivers to the jugular.
We went days without eating much more than a rice with salt and a $4 jug of red wine poured into coffee mugs. When we ran out of toilet paper, we used Kleenex. When we ran out of Kleenex, we used paper towels. When we ran out of paper towels, we used coffee filters. At the time, I was finishing up my senior year of college, writing my thesis about the various interpretations of demonic possession among local Christian denominations, and working at a law firm. About nine months into the job, I was called into my boss’ office.
“We have a serious problem with you,” he said. My heart started pounding.
I didn’t know what to say. In the nine months I had worked there, I had never had a review, much less a complaint of any sort, but all I was thinking about at the time was how much I could not afford to lose this job.
“Yeah,” he continued, seriously irritated. “You’re stocking the refrigerator in the break room with the incorrect proportions of soda? I KNOW I’ve told you that it should be 40% diet and 60% diet caffeine-free. You’re doing it, like, 50-50. What, are you too stupid to stock a refrigerator?”
At that moment, shaking, I vowed to myself that so help me God there would come a time in my life when I wouldn’t have to work crappy jobs like this one. At some point in my life, I wouldn’t have to call Zach before I bought a cup of coffee to see if that purchase was going to put our checking account into the negative. We obviously needed income, but the last thing I wanted was to become a sell-out and spend my life chasing money and new cars and a bigger house. So I got out a notepad and made a list. What’s my definition of success? How will I know when I get there? Here’s what I wrote down five years ago:
1. I wanted for us to be able to pay all of our bills - on time, all the time.
2. I wanted to be able to buy groceries whenever we needed them.
3. For years, we couldn’t afford “expensive” things like fresh fruit or vegetables. I probably went six months straight living off of 17 cent Ramen. I wanted to be able to buy whatever sorts of food I wanted.
4. I wanted to work at a job because I liked it, not because I hated it but was really desperate.
5. I wanted to travel more. And, by “more”, I meant “constantly”.
6. I wanted to feel safe where we lived.
So that was it. No Lexus, no three-story house in a posh neighborhood, no president of the PTA or whatever. A week or two ago, we had a good friend from out of town stay with us. I was going through the cupboard for ingredients to cook with, and of course I pulled out the truffle oil and waved it under our friend’s nose.
“Oh my lord… smell this!” I said.
“Truffle oil,” he said, examining the bottle. “Isn’t this, like, liquid gold?”
“Not too bad, actually,” I replied. “I think this bottle was 13 bucks or so.” And then I smiled. I have a job that I adore, which enables us to actually pay our bills. I’ve traveled a ton in 2010 already. I live in a safe and wonderful neighborhood. I can buy groceries whenever I want, I don’t have to wear pantyhose to work, and the only person at work who ever calls me a dumbass is myself. Now, don’t get me wrong – we’re hardly luxuriously wealthy. We still rent our house and both of our cars are at least ten years old. But, I have fancy condiments in my house. I can afford to spend $13 on a single ingredient. And I am so much of a nerd that I huff truffle oil in the kitchen.
I am so happy and so content with this life of mine, and I am amazingly grateful to everyone who shares it with me :)
This is the best thing i have read all year! I can honestly say I enjoyed reading every word :)
It actually reminds me of the song 'How Lucky We Are,' by Meiko…
that was so awesome, molly! and i agree with the song reference (ellen and i just saw her kinda recently!).
Your words actually serve as inspiration, that in fact, one day I will be where I really want to be and not working some worthless job acting as a door mat for people. Thank you!
that's awesome, i can't stop smiling!
I'm pressing the imaginary 'love' button :)
I'm so happy to be your love-child!
:) love it except you forgot about sherpa chewing through all of our personal belongings, oh wait… i think those were mine!!Im really glad ive known you and zach as long as i have and still live close by and see you both all the time…. :)!!!!!
This is great. Scott always gets after me when i get bent on stuff like success. I just had my ten year high school reunion and they all have super successful jobs, and I start gettin' all weird…..but that is not what matters.
Before I even knew you through leslie and Brian, I admired and was in awe at your photography at the clinic. You captured, through photography, the very essence of the people you photographed. I was at the clinic alot and often wondered who this person was. By chance Leslie chose you as her photographer at her wedding. I had told her about this awesome photography but she did not make the connection. Much to my delight she chose you. I dabble in photography but don't quite have your talent. I hope to some day be able to see through your eyes what I have not yet been able to capture. what a great story you wrote regarding your life.
soda cans! yikes. awesome stuff molly. loved it. You and Zack have definetely helped me strive for more, and believe in myself. Thank you so much.
What a inspiring thing to write. Thank you for the perspective. Well wishes to you and Zach! I hope the truffle oil never runs out!
wow, thanks everyone for commenting! i love comments :) and zach wanted me to clarify – no, we don't have house keys. we also don't have a tv, a sound system, expensive jewelry, or cash laying around the house.
that's cause i took it already hahahah no not really please don't sue me
i love it…We don't have anything either:)
Oh my god. This is why I adore you! You are so incredibly amazing…Ramen or Truffle Oil. :) Congrats on making it happen…by your own f'ing standards! :) xoxox
It is a testament to you that you were able to discern this blissful life while you are so young. Many spend their lives chasing the bigger, faster, shinier things and forget that it really is the simple things in life that define us. Congratulations to you and Zach, for not compromising and swimming against the current to a life that suits you.
Wow. What great perspective and a great story. I totally feel you. Tom and I are approaching 13 years of marriage and I’ve always said that to me being or feeling “wealthy” is not having that crushing pressure of having to count each penny. We struggled through parts of grad school and it sucked. Like you, I’m a food geek and love to travel and while I don’t need to be able to buy a ticket to Paris at the drop of a hat, I do like to have the freedom to save for it. Congratulations on your six years and your true success!
Oh, and that boss at the law firm; what an unbelievable prick. People like that should be made to hang out with themselves for all eternity.
I read your story and am moved to write mine. I have a passion for photography and someone I know referred me to check out your site. I will say I love your work and find you innovative and creative. You give me inspiration. I also understand that your business is in Buena Vista, CO. . This is another common thread. My husband and I though from Wisconsin had our beginnings in Buena Vista, CO. where we got married. We also had 2 of our 4 children in Salida Hospital. This year we will celebrate 30 years of marriage.
We too were so poor that I remember a friend of mine coming over and asking if I wanted to go out for a cup of coffee. We looked in every tin and jar and no quarter to be found. We too could only buy t.p. and use it for tissues etc. Our goals were much the same then as they are for you. Ironically I went to my cupboard the other day and thought how odd it was that I had all these different oils, one being truffle. My husband and I feel we would never be rich because we would give it away. We are richly blessed. When living in CO. we saved and saved and paid on a camera. Finally the day came. I was 8months pregnant and we had friends up Cottonwood Pass that had a private hot springs. My husband was going to take some artsy pics of me and I said make sure you have it around your neck. Well, you guessed it, he dropped it in the hot springs water. We went without for a long time until my husband traded some work he did for another film camera. Two years ago he replaced my camera with a digital so it has been a huge blessing for me. My passion for photography has never ceased and now enjoy taking pictures of my 4 grandchildren and anyone else who will let me. Who knows what would have happened with my photography career in little Buena Vista, CO. If you have the desire, you have the talent. Love your work. Debbe
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molly. i love you. also, find some time to do some writing…but prioritize climbing over writing…when you have that extra time. does this make sense?
My wife is so cool! Awesome babe, we have come a long way from coffee filters and feeding our dogs rice! haha. we don't have cash, but we have a vicious 3 legged dog! She has 3 legs, but you should see the other guy:)
ella is pretty terrifying
This was awesome!! Thanks for sharing Molly :)