She Strengthens

The Unspoken Truth About My Salary

As I reflect on my journey, I realize that my income has skyrocketed since meeting my fiancé, Paul, two years ago. But there’s a secret I’ve been keeping from him – my salary. As a senior strategist at a tech company, I bring in almost $200,000 a year, a figure I’ve been hesitant to share with him.

A History of Heartbreak

In the past, I’ve been burned by men who were intimidated by my ambition, career, and salary. I’ve been dumped three times before meeting Paul, and the story was always the same: we’d hit it off, things would move along, but once they discovered my salary, their behavior would shift. They’d become weird, distant, or even condescending. It was frustrating and disheartening.

Meeting Paul

When I met Paul, I was on the cusp of transitioning into a new role. I wanted to have the money conversation early on to gauge his reaction. We discussed salaries, savings, and financial goals, and I was relieved to find that he wasn’t fazed by my income. He was impressed by my achievements and didn’t seem intimidated. For the first time, I felt like I had found someone who could accept me for who I was.

The Promotion

Seven months into our relationship, I landed a promotion that came with a $25,000 salary raise and a $30,000 bonus. I was ecstatic, but also anxious about sharing the news with Paul. I was fearful of our dynamic changing, just like it had with previous partners. I told him about the promotion, but left out the financial details, and he was proud of me without pushing for more information.

The Weight of Secrecy

As our relationship progressed, I knew I couldn’t keep my salary a secret forever. We were planning our wedding and merging our finances, and I knew I had to be upfront about my contribution. But I was nervous, haunted by memories of past relationships. I hoped that Paul would understand and not feel betrayed by my secrecy.

A Leap of Faith

As I prepare to confess my salary to Paul, I’m filled with anxiety and uncertainty. But I know that he’s different from anyone I’ve ever dated. He loves me for who I am, and I hope that our relationship is strong enough to withstand this revelation. I’m taking a leap of faith, trusting that we can move past this and build a future together, free from secrets and judgment.