Living the life of a CFI

It's been ages since I've updated this blog so here I am for a few minutes.
After starting to instruct a few weeks ago, Jen and I left on a belated honeymoon. Because we eloped, we had a party in Lake Como, Italy with my family. It was nothing but magical. After some initial stress, we both thoroughly enjoyed a celebration at a beautiful villa on the lake with her family and mine as well as a group of close friends.
We then escaped for a badly-needed few days together in Le Midi, France's beautiful Provence.
After our return, which involed a hellish trip home on Alitalia, a truly mismanaged airline, I got back to teaching.
It's been only 4 weeks of instructing, but I love my job. I've met many different people and have been trying my best to adapt to my students' various personalities. In that short time I've logged about 100 hours and learned a lot.
The highlight of my experience so far has to be the day I soloed my first student. I'll write more about that experience but the inexperienced and sweaty CFI marching across the ramp nervously with a handheld safely glued to his ear came out a different person from the experience, as did the student. In many ways, that day was more special than my own first solo. Those few minutes were intense, stressful and very rewarding when it all ended well.
Teaching what I love is amazing. Financially, it has pretty much only drawbacks. But I'm learning more from flying through it than I ever thought imaginable and the payoff in helping others realize their dream of becoming pilots cannot be quantified.
So it is with a perpetual smile on my face that I bid you all good night in search of some badly needed sleep. I'll write more very soon.
Flying rocks. Teaching others does too.
I am a very happy and fortunate man.