

I always say the best relationships will teach you as much about yourself as they do the other person.
My marriage is teaching me a lesson that I’m currently struggling to understand: Sometimes it’s not about you…like at all…in fact, not even a little bit.
Last September, my husband and I celebrated surviving our first year of marriage. While lighting our unity candle I reflected on our relationship and realized that for the ten years we dated, we managed to somehow find time to fall in love in between working two and sometimes three jobs a piece. There had been many days where I juggled a full-time day job (or two) while finding time to pitch and post as a freelance writer. My traditional day planner has been a mess of “post-it note” pitches and sex-ed curriculum since undergrad. Meanwhile my now husband, who was then my boyfriend, divided his time between building a business as a contractor and working for “the man” since we started seriously dating. We weren’t the type of couple who caught feelings over missed calls or taking hours to text back, and I could often be found saying, “If my man has time to ‘update his status' all day, he isn’t doing something right. He should have business to handle.”
But this past year something changed. My new roles as a wife and mother forced me to slow down and not just dedicate more time to my personal life, but actually sit still long enough to enjoy it. Trust me, if a newborn whose favorite place to nap is on your chest doesn’t make you pump your brakes, nothing will. Most days there just didn’t seem to be enough hours in the day between sleep-training my daughter and working full time and slowly I went from writing three pieces a day to three pieces a week for the sites I contributed to. I hadn’t completely abandoned my career or my hustler mentality, but as I’m getting older I’m beginning to feel less guilty for taking a break from chasing my dreams so I can get my everyday reality under control.
I remember reading an article on Ayesha Curry some time ago about husband Steph Curry thanking her after winning the NBA championship. He noted her willingness to put her acting career on hold and be a stay-at-home wife and mother, and how it allowed him to be the man he is. As much as I liked her, a very “judgmental” part of me in the pit of my stomach said, “Here we go. Another one making excuses about having to choose between career and family.” And per usual, life turned around to give me a much needed lesson in empathy and I reached a point where I realized I may have to get out of the driver’s seat of my dream to manage our household while my husband makes his hustle his full-time job.
As much as I’ve always liked that my husband has a hustler’s ambition similar to my own, I had never taken much time to learn about his hustle. I’d listen to him complain about customers, but most days I was giving him a thumbs up from my laptop before he left in the morning to load his work truck. For the most part we’ve stayed in our lanes, cheering each other on from the sidelines when we found time. But when you truly begin building a life with someone and raising children, you begin to learn to that you can’t always be behind the wheel.
[Tweet "Sometimes your best performance is from the passenger side"]
For some time, both of us had been constantly operating on “10” with demanding schedules that would dramatically change from day to day. Sometimes my husband would be home at 5:00 in time for dinner, other days he wouldn’t finish his day until 10:00 pm when he’d catch me at the end of a wrestling match with our one-year-old still fighting sleep. We weren’t able to create a routine for our child, because we had no routine, and I didn’t want her to grow up thinking this “burning the candle at both ends” lifestyle was healthy or normal.
From Ayesha Curry going from actress to #MomGoals on Twitter to Mary J. being her husband’s lover and secretary “working every day of the week,” I’m realizing that sometimes marriage requires sacrifice and putting my dreams on hold doesn’t have to be permanent as long as my husband recognizes after he handles his business he needs to fall back so I can make moves as well. (Meanwhile, amid her husband's success, Curry was eventually able to pursue her culinary dreams by snagging her own cooking show and cook book).
When you choose to build a life with someone you can’t just jump up and do what works for you, you have to do what works best for your family as a whole.
It’s funny because as much as I saw my father and mother work and raise my sister and I, it’s something I couldn’t fully understand until I had a family of my own.
It’s about finding the routine that is right for YOUR family. For some it may mean that you both won’t be walking hand in hand down that aisle getting your Master’s degrees at the same time, especially if it means there’s a child who never sees their parents for years at a time because they’re buried in the books. But for others, those few years of getting an education while squeezing parenting in between might be the difference between building the best life for your child and settling for something less. Regardless of the choice you make as a family, you do the best with what you have and make your peace with the things you have to give up.
[Tweet " As long as you recognize that “giving up” and “losing” are not the same thing..."]
As long as you recognize that “giving up” and “losing” are not the same thing because when one member of the family crosses the finish line, you all do.
Writer, sexual health superhero, and #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoy curator regularly featured on @Madamenoire. Toya can usually be found in between her earbuds, listening to trap music and refreshing her browser for concert tickets. Tweet her @thetruetsharee.
'He Said, She Said': Love Stories Put To The Test At A Weekend For Love
At the A Weekend For Love retreat, we sat down with four couples to explore their love stories in a playful but revealing way with #HeSaidSheSaid. From first encounters to life-changing moments, we tested their memories to see if their versions of events aligned—because, as they say, every story has three sides: his, hers, and the truth.
Do these couples remember their love stories the same way? Press play to find out.
Episode 1: Indira & Desmond – Love Across the Miles
They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but for Indira & Desmond, love made it stronger. Every mile apart deepened their bond, reinforcing the unshakable foundation of their relationship. From their first "I love you" to the moment they knew they had found home in each other, their journey is a beautiful testament to the endurance of true love.
Episode 2: Jay & Tia – A Love Story Straight Out of a Rom-Com
If Hollywood is looking for its next Black love story, they need to take notes from Jay & Tia. Their journey—from an awkward first date to navigating careers, parenthood, and personal growth—proves that love is not just about romance but also resilience. Their story is full of laughter, challenges, and, most importantly, a love that stands the test of time.
Episode 3: Larencia & Mykel – Through the Highs and Lows
A date night with police helicopters overhead? Now that’s a story! Larencia & Mykel have faced unexpected surprises, major life changes, and 14 years of choosing each other every single day. But after all this time, do they actually remember things the same way? Their episode is sure to bring some eye-opening revelations and a lot of laughs.
Episode 4: Soy & Osei – A Love Aligned in Purpose
From a chance meeting at the front door to 15 years of unwavering love, faith, and growth, Soy & Osei prove that when two souls are aligned in love and purpose, nothing can shake their foundation. Their journey is a powerful reminder that true love is built on mutual support, shared values, and a deep connection that only strengthens with time.
Each of these couples has a unique and inspiring story to tell, but do their memories match up? Watch #HeSaidSheSaid to find out!
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Gabrielle Union Dishes On Her Skincare Journey: 'It's Like Dating, You Just Keep Trying'
Gabrielle Union has always been known for her natural beauty. At 52 years old, she still holds the crown as one of Hollywood's most beautiful actresses and she's spilling her beauty secrets. During Vogue's Beauty Secrets series, the Riff Raff star shares her morning routine, which includes using multiple skincare devices for clear skin to lash serums.
Get all the deets below:
Cleanser
Gabrielle starts with a cleanser from U Beauty and follows that up with witch hazel (toner). "I was really lucky because I never really had crazy, problem skin," she said.
"Not until my hormones changed and it was like, 'is this acne? How do you get acne as a fully-grown ass woman?' But I found a way and I just had to start experimenting."
Exfoliator
Vogue's YouTube/ Screenshot
Next, she uses PCA Skin Pore Refining Treatment for exfoliation. "When I lived in Miami, I was like an oil slick, but in California where it's dry heat--I've also gotten a little dry in my older age," she said. "So I have to switch up my routine based on where I'm at."
The Being Mary Jane star also gave advice to those looking to improve their skincare routine. "If you see someone's skin that you like, 'what are you doing? What are the products? Tell me the routine,'" she shared. "I hope that it works for you, and if it doesn't, it's like dating. You just keep trying."
Retinol
"Some people have very strong opinions about retinol in the daytime, mainly because of the sun. For me it's kinda interchangeable, because I'm psycho about protection from the sun," she explained.
Facial Wands
Vogue's YouTube/ Screenshot
Gabrielle talked about her love for skincare devices. She uses Therabody Theraface Depuffing Wand to help push down the swelling and inflammation around her eyes. She then follows that up with Shani Darden Skin Care Facial Sculpting Wand.
Moisturizer
For moisturizer, she returns to U Beauty. "I started using U Beauty in September. I've never gotten more compliments on my face," she said.
Serum
Vogue's YouTube/ Screenshot
Next is PCA Vitamin B3 Brightening Serum and U Beauty The Return Eye Concentrate. "And with all the things I've used thus far, you have to commit to sunscreen because these products left without any protection from the sun will work against you," she said.
Lash Serums
"I don't know who else out there has a problem with TikTok Shop. I can't stop myself," she said. "The Babe Lash lash serum, the NuOrganic lash serum and I use one on one eye and the other on this one. And I just want to see which one is better."
Sunscreen
For sunscreen, she likes Allies of Skin The One SPF 50 Invisible Sunscreen Gel. "It just disappears right on my face," she said. Shen then ends her skincare routine with Winnie Harlow's Cay Skin Isle Lip Balm SPF 30.
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