Some background first, my husband is a trained cook and I am a chemist. We always knew I'd make more money than him and I never cared, not important to me. He then got a chronic illness when I was in gradschool and couldn't work, and definitely not in a kitchen (also tldr, kitchens suck and don't pay anything). It sucked but we survived. He's better now and works at the tech department in Target. But now I'm sick too. My chronic illness treatment is long, expensive, and not covered by my state insurance and I'm not able to work because I'm so sick.
I've watched my husband become slowly depressed as he's realized that despite his 40 hr weeks, he can't even pay our rent, nonetheless pay for my treatment. He's stopped making dumb jokes when we shower together and my heart is breaking. And it's fucking stupid because he's so important at the store. He's actually very knowledgeable (for someone without a degree) about IT stuff and helps a ton of people; mostly elderly people who need help buying and connecting their cellphone. I can't tell you how many times he's gotten compliments because customers go to management raving about his service.
So, I got fed up and I told him this this morning: “Do not feel bad because you work for a corporation that does not pay you a living wage. Don't you dare internalize that shit based off your salary when you perform an important role in our community. You are NOT paid based on your value. And I love you so much and we will get through this.”
You are all worth so much. Thanks for letting me vent. Hope y'all are doing ok.