As My Husband Said I Brought In A Lover

Okay, folks, let's get one thing straight right off the bat: This isn't a scandalous tell-all about a torrid affair. (Sorry to disappoint, maybe? Just kidding... mostly!). My husband did say I brought in a lover. But hold your horses—it's not what you think.

What he actually meant was I brought in… well, let's call it a new passion. A burning desire. An all-consuming obsession... with bread baking! Dramatic? Maybe. Accurate? Absolutely!

Yep, you heard me right. My “lover” is sourdough starter. I know, I know, sounds a little weird, right? But trust me, it's more exciting than it sounds. (And way less paperwork involved than an actual affair, I imagine. Though, I wouldn’t know, would I? 😉 )

The Spark: It Started With a Loaf...

It all began innocently enough. I saw a picture of a perfectly crusty, beautifully browned loaf of sourdough on Instagram. You know how it is—the algorithm knows your weaknesses. Next thing I knew, I was knee-deep in flour, yeast, and YouTube tutorials.

And let me tell you, sourdough is a commitment. It's not like whipping up a quick batch of cookies. It’s a living, breathing thing (well, technically it's a colony of yeast and bacteria, but who's counting?). It needs feeding, nurturing, and constant attention. Kind of like a pet. Or, you know, a lover.

My Husband's "Jealousy" (Sort Of)

So, where does my husband come in? Well, suddenly, I was spending all my free time (and let’s be honest, some of my unfree time) hovering over my starter. Checking its temperature, whispering sweet nothings to it (yes, I actually did that), and generally ignoring him in favor of my new yeasty friend. (Don't judge me!).

He started to joke about my "boyfriend" in the fridge. How I was spending more time with him than with him. How he was starting to feel neglected. All in good fun, of course. But underneath the humor, I think he was a little bit jealous. Jealous of the passion I was pouring into this new hobby.

And you know what? That's totally valid! It's easy to fall into a rut, to get comfortable, to forget what it feels like to be truly excited about something. My bread-baking obsession was a wake-up call for both of us.

The Unexpected Benefits (Besides Delicious Bread!)

But here's the thing: My "affair" with sourdough has actually made our lives more fun. For starters, we're eating amazing bread. Seriously, restaurant-quality stuff. And who doesn't love the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the house?

But beyond the culinary benefits, it's given me a new sense of purpose. A creative outlet. A way to unwind and destress (yes, even though baking can be stressful sometimes!).

And it's inspired my husband to find his own passions, too. He's always been a bit of a handyman, but now he's tackling more ambitious projects around the house. We're both more engaged, more alive, more... well, passionate.

So, What's the Takeaway?

Look, I'm not saying you should all go out and start baking sourdough. (Though, you totally should! It's amazing!). What I am saying is: Find your "lover." Find something that makes you feel alive, that ignites your passion, that makes you forget about your worries, even if just for a little while.

It doesn't have to be bread baking. It could be painting, writing, hiking, volunteering, learning a new language, or even mastering the art of juggling chainsaws (please be careful!).

The point is, don't be afraid to explore your interests and embrace your passions. It might just bring a whole new level of joy and excitement to your life. And who knows, it might even spice up your relationship a little bit. 😉

So, go forth and find your "lover"! The world is full of possibilities. And if you happen to stumble upon a truly amazing sourdough recipe, send it my way!

Feeling inspired to explore your own passions? Start by simply listing the things you've always been curious about. Research, take a class, join a club – the possibilities are endless! You might be surprised at what you discover. Don't wait; your exciting new hobby awaits!