Dating a carpenter taught me my career is not my identity. He doesn't worry about getting laid off and just focuses on the next job.

Sun, 07/07/2024 - 06:38

Nia Springer-Norris and her partner, Tom, standing in front of bookshelves. She is wearing a yellow printed dress and he is in a red t-shirt and jeans. — Nia Springer-Norris and her partner work in different industries and learn from each other.
Courtesy Nia Springer-Norris

I'm a journalist and consultant, and my partner is a carpenter.
He changed my perspective on work and taught me my career isn't my identity.
Watching his cycle of layoffs made it bearable when I lost my job.

I met Tom at a bonfire hosted by a friend of mine. That night, he sent me a message, and the conversation hasn't ended nearly four years later. We became an item when I separated from my now-deceased ex-husband.