So tomorrow is my sixth wedding anniversary. And if I was speaking to Chuck, I might reminisce about the wedding, etc. (Just kidding, I am mostly speaking to Chuck. Although he's popping popcorn and I am trying to watch an uncaptioned movie very quietly, so I had to stop it…)
But when I think about my wedding the thing I can't get over is how different my life is today than it was six years ago, how many things have changed, including parts of my worldview. It's weird, everyone has this mental picture of themselves in their head, this idea of who you are, and part of me still feels like I'm eighteen. Of course, I'm a bit older than that, but I still sometimes look in the mirror and expect to see that other person looking back at me.
Of all the things that have changed, friends coming and going, moving to the suburbs, working in the suburbs, etc., obviously the biggest change is the kids. [It still feels funny to say kid-s (plural), but it's getting much more natural.] But it's impossible to conceive how much having children has changed my life. So many of the big moves we've made, Chuck leaving Strive, us leaving Fratney, me leaving Strive, buying a freaking minivan, etc. have really been driven at the core by our feelings and responsibilities as parents first, people second.
Would I still be going out to bars on Tuesday nights, partying all night and waking up for work the next day if I hadn't had kids? Most likely not. I can't say I miss too much about that life. Perhaps the disposable income. That was pretty cool. But really deep down, the most important thing I feel like I am doing is what I do with my son and daughter. I hope I am helping them become fantastic people, and that I continue to grow in conjunction with them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to quit working to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. But I am definitely enjoying this time off with them. And I guess it's okay that Chuck is here too.
stinky chuck