My Husband Called My Gardening Hobby Useless – Now That It’s Profitable, He Demands 50%

For months, I was told to find a real job and give up my “embarrassing gardening hobby” by my husband and his family. It’s funny how their attitude changed as the money came in. Everyone wants a piece now. They were shocked by what I did next.

Success, according to some, transforms everything. I’m here to tell you that sometimes people’s true selves are exposed by their achievement. My husband is attempting to take half of the company that he once referred to as “embarrassing.” My name is April. The same company that his entire family mocked at has suddenly become a “family venture” after they realized how much money I generate.

I enter data for an insurance firm from the comfort of my own home. Bills are paid, but my spirit is slowly being killed. I enjoy being outside, yet I spend eight hours a day glued to a computer screen. In the meantime, my spouse John is a loan officer at a nearby bank.

I was looking out my office window into our enormous backyard two years ago. There was so much vacant space that it begged for something lovely. Prior to pursuing a career in business, I had studied horticulture in college. I had always loved flowers.

So I brought it up at supper that night.

“I’ve been thinking, John. Imagine if I began cultivating flowers in my backyard. Perhaps offer bouquets for sale online.

He didn’t even raise his gaze from his dish. “Don’t even consider it. Just continue working at your desk. The bills won’t be paid by growing flowers. It’s a pointless and absurd pastime.

However, I have the necessary background. Additionally, consumers are frequently purchasing flowers online.

“April, have some common sense. You aren’t a typical farm girl. Little House on the Prairie is not this.

My cheeks were burning. “I’m just saying it could work.”

The terms “could work” and “will work” are not interchangeable. Don’t abandon your day job to indulge in your fantasies.

“John, I’m not going to quit my job. I simply want to give gardening a try.

We ate dinner at his parents’ house the next weekend. I messed up by telling his mother, Carol, about my proposal.

Her drink almost choked her. “Gardening? As a company? Don’t make a fool of yourself, honey. No one actually profits from that.

John’s father Simon gave a nod. “April, stay with what you know. Let guys come up with business ideas.

Nancy, his sister, spoke out from the other side of the table. “If you could just get another job like a regular person, why waste time in the dirt? Perhaps a store or something?”

Sam, her husband, grinned. “Yeah, save the flower picking for retirement hobbies.”

John did nothing but sit. He simply cut his steak while his family destroyed my ambition without ever defending me.

I forced a smile and responded, “Well,” “Thanks for the support.”

Carol gave me a little pat on the hand. “Dear, we’re only being practical. Bills are real, but dreams are lovely.

None of them were listened to by me. I placed my first internet order for seeds the following Monday. Cosmos, marigolds, zinnias, and sunflowers. Simple flowers that would consistently blossom.

I spent every evening after work outside getting the soil ready, sowing seeds, watering, and pulling weeds. My hands became filthy. My back hurt. John would shake his head and observe from the kitchen window.

He sneered, “Still playing in the dirt, I see,” as I entered the house.

“Still building something beautiful,” was my response.

“It’s more like building debt. Are you aware of the amount you have already spent on this?

Yes, I was aware. I paid for everything out of my own paycheck. “It’s an investment.”

“It’s a financial disaster. Your time is being wasted.

“John, we’ll see. We’ll see.

My first little harvest was dried and organized by winter. I opened a web store named “April’s Garden.” I sold my first item to a neighbor for $25 after sharing pictures on social media.

When I showed it to John, he rolled his eyes. Twenty-five bucks? At this rate, we’ll be millionaires by Christmas. He chuckled.

His giggling, however, did not make me doubt what I was creating.

It was a difficult first year. I barely turned a profit. However, I gained knowledge. I enhanced my arrangements, studied the best-selling flowers, and developed a rapport with my clients.

Orders for sympathy arrangements, anniversary bouquets, and wedding centerpieces began to flow in by the second year. On other evenings, I worked until two in the morning, but I enjoyed every second of it.

At events, John’s family continued to make hurtful remarks.

“How’s the flower thing going?” Nancy would ask in that phony worried tone.

“Still playing farmer?” Simon would laugh.

But I continued. I was earning a respectable income by the eighteenth month. Real money is actually sufficient to cover utilities and groceries.

Then came month twenty-four. Orders for Mother’s Day, graduation parties, spring weddings, and other festivities skyrocketed. I had a good booking.

John became interested in my business at that point. One evening, while I was counting some cash, he was watching me. His eyes widened.

“Whoa! To be honest, I didn’t think your little pastime would succeed.”

I continued to count. “Thanks for the vote of confidence!”

However, now that business is booming, I demand a fair portion of the earnings. Furthermore, I refuse to accept less than 50%.”

I chuckled. “You’re joking, right?”

“I’m not kidding. I live here. My soil is being used by you.

I swiveled around in my seat to look at him. “Your soil? John, we’re married. The deed bears both of our names.

He squinted his eyes. “This house was actually mine long before you were born. Technically, then, it belongs to me. Half. “Period.”

“If you want to play that game, then you should know that in divorce, half of it would be mine anyway!” I retorted.

He took a step back as if I had hit him. “You’re doing foolishly. implying a breakup simply because I’m requesting something I’m entitled to.”

“DESERVE? I’m sorry. What specifically did you do to merit anything?

“I gave the land. The room. the cornerstone of your achievement.”

“John, your soil didn’t water itself by magic. It didn’t make bouquets or trim flowers. I completed all of the job.

“While residing in my home and making use of my assets. Remember that.

“Our residence. Our assets. And my customers, my knowledge, my time, and my sweat.”

“Stop this ‘my’ everything!”John folded his arms. “We’ll see about that.”

Word spread about my earnings to his family. Their song abruptly changed entirely.

Carol was beaming at the next family meal. “April, we’re so proud of how well the family business is doing!”

I almost let my fork fall. “Family business?”

Simon seemed instantly important as he nodded. Technically speaking, this is family land. Thus, it is now a family business.

Carol went on, “Your flowers are growing on our heritage,” “You should respect that, dear.”

Sam leaped in. “Without us, she wouldn’t have this business. She owes a portion to the family.

Nancy was nodding in agreement. “It’s just. We were there for her right from the start.

I gazed at each of them. “Helped me? Hold on! Right now, are you kidding me?

Carol remarked, “We gave you our blessing,” with primness.

“You described it as embarrassing! You advised me to work in retail instead.

“We just were being cautious,” Simon added. “Good business sense.”

“Oh, so it wasn’t a family business while I was working till two in the morning, carrying soil, buying seedlings, and arranging bouquets? It is only now that it is profitable that it is referred to be a “family business.” Am I correct?

There was silence at the table. Nancy scowled as John stared at his plate.

Carol’s tone became cold. “There’s no need to be ungrateful, April.”

Weeks passed during the arguments. Every conversation with John became a demand, and every family get-together became a negotiation.

He said, “You’re being selfish,” while having coffee one morning.

“I’m being realistic.”

“My family deserves something for their support.”

“What assistance? Considering my work to be dirty play?

“We let you use our property.”

“John, I reside here. It’s also my home.

However, I understood that they would never give up or cease attempting to take possession of what I had created myself. I decided as a result.

I applied for a small company loan using my profits. Outside of town, I discovered a stunning commercial property with space for a greenhouse and potential for growth. The down payment was made in my name.

For the first time in months, I felt liberated on the day I signed the documents. However, John went crazy when he learned.

“You’re excluding us! How could you?

I murmured, “Correction,” as I packed my floral items. “As soon as you laughed at me, you shut yourselves out. Do you recall when it was considered a “useless hobby”? My ‘useless hobby’ now provides the funds for my independence.

My business is doing better than ever six months later. I arrange funerals, corporate gatherings, and wedding packages. The loan has nearly been paid off, and I have employed two part-time workers.

Sometimes, especially when he needs money, John still employs the same old tactic. “Be sensible, April. We’re wed. I own what’s yours.

“Funny how that works one way but not the other.”

Sometimes his family drives by where I’ve moved. Carol made a single call to “check in.”

“We miss having you around for family dinners,” she stated.

“I’m sure you miss the potential profit more.”

“That is unfair. We are related.

“The family has always had faith in one another. Family members support one another regardless of accomplishment.

Nancy made a social media post last week about “supporting small businesses.” She marked my store, but I paid her no attention.

“The only people who deserve a share of your success are the ones who believed in you when you had nothing but dirt under your fingernails and dreams in your heart,” I say to anyone who approach me about launching their own business.

What about John’s family? They have yet to receive their share of something they did not merit. They will also have to wait a long time.

Because the people who watered April’s Garden from the beginning are the only ones who receive a portion of it. Just me, that’s what it would be.