The Married Life

Privet! Hello, again! Exhausted from the extensive work it took for me to finally earn my doctorate’s degree, my husband and I decided to return home to Russia in the year of 1874. This was the first time we had ever lived together as a couple. Even with my degree, I could not find suitable work. I eventually took up the position as the maths teacher at a girls’ elementary school. Vladimir found it difficult to obtain a job as well, but we managed. I had never much relied on Vladimir, and we weren’t a good match for each other. Our personalities were opposing and being together caused much tension and stress. After my father passed away, however, that changed. We became much closer as a married couple, even coming to love one another. It was during this time of closeness that our only daughter Sofia was born. While in Russia, we worked hard. I resigned from my teaching position and began to write for newspapers, scientific magazines, even fiction. We put all of our money towards the funding of a women’s university in Russia. This, however, turned out to be a disaster. We lost all of our savings and Vladimir took his own life. Only after our financial and familial ruin was I able to return to mathematics. Until next time, do svidaniya!