I quit my Ph.D. program to be a wife and mother at 23. It's not what I expected for my post-college life, but I'm happier.

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Terryn Witherspoon-Woolfolk and her husband cutting a cake on their wedding day
The author, left, wanted to be a mother and wife – not an academic.

Courtesy of Trevor Mercer

My coworker and I bonded over how much we hated our job. We were in relationships with other people but fell in love anyway.

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Liv Arnold and her husband standing in front of a movie ad
Liv Arnold, left, met her husband at work.

Courtesy of Liv Arnold

When my husband and I started working together, I was nervous. But it has only helped our relationship.

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Ashley Archambault and her husband hugging
The author, right, and her husband work together.

Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

After my difficult breakup with a coworker, we were forced to work together on a project. It was too painful, so I quit.

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ana fota holding a drink while smiling in a crowd
The author, middle, broke up with her coworker.

Courtesy of Flora van de Walle de Ghelcke

My partner and I are remodeling our house by ourselves while living in it. It hasn't been easy, but it's rewarding.

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birds eye view of a couple looking at construction plans
The author, not pictured, and her partner are remodeling their house.

Maskot/Getty Images

After getting hired, I started dating a man from the interview panel. It put targets on our backs and made promotions difficult.

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a woman faces two job interviewers who are blurred out
The author, not pictured, married the man who interviewed her for a job.

Fizkes/ Getty Images

My fiancé and I are planning our wedding, but he's unemployed, and we're in debt. We've had to get creative.

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Kelsey herbers and her fiance walking down the street, holding hands and looking at each other
The author, left, is planning her wedding with her fiancé, right.

Courtesy of Daniel Wilson

My fiancé was laid off months ago, and he's in debt. I'm now overworking myself to make ends meet.

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Kelsey Herbers and her fiancé headshot with beanies
The author, left, and her fiancé are struggling with money after he was laid off.

Courtesy of Kelsey Herbers

I never expected to meet my husband while working at a restaurant together post-college. It was surprisingly romantic.

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illustration of waitress and waiter
The author met her husband while working at a restaurant.

Frants Tsyvinskyi/Getty Images

My coworker dated 3 other women in the office before we fell for each other. We've been married for nearly 25 years.

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Kara Williams and her husband in a hotel in mexico
The author and her husband were coworkers first.

Courtesy of Kara Williams

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