Lately I’ve been thinking about how people decide when to start a family.  This topic is close to me because 1) I turned 37 today and 2) I have an Infant.  To put things in perspective, when my Dad was my current age, I had just moved out of the house.  When I reach my Father’s current age, Erica will just be graduating from Highschool.  That’s quite the contrast.

For the past few years, E and I debated when to start a family.  For me, I saw having a child as a sign of having to finally grow up.  There were other ancillary factors- cost, lifestyle, travel, cost, sleeping in on the weekends, cost, space, etc.

Well time was the deciding factor- now was the time to start the family otherwise I’ll be collecting a pension while my kids are learning to drive. 

I try to take the view that there are no regrets in life.  Things happen, when they happen, for a reason.  I think E was ready sooner than I was to have a family, I needed the time to mature and understand what it means to be a good parent… in short, I needed to learn about sacrifice and giving.

As my earlier posts alluded- we’re tired, we have to look for a bigger (and more $$$$) space, we haven’t tried any new swanky restaurants, we won’t be travelling to Europe anytime soon, and Formula is more expensive than Rib Eye steak.

But… the joy e brings… not only into our lives, but the lives of our family… makes us not miss any of those other things we used to do, and probably will make us appreciate going out or travelling even more when we’re able to.

So regrets, there really are none.  E and e are both healthy, and that’s what matters, but I think we could have started our family a few years earlier.  In hindsight, a lot of the reasons I had for not starting a family earlier weren’t really all that important.  It just took time to see past those reasons.  One thing we couldn’t anticipate was how much happiness e brings into our lives. 

I remember my Dad and Mom teaching Vennie and I to ski, play tennis, go hiking, fishing, etc.  I think Vennie was only a few weeks old when we first went camping.  The point is I think some people take that active lifestyle for granted. 

Thinking about the future, I hope I can do the same for my kids.  For the sports I play now, I still got some semi-serious game, and I hope that’s the case a couple of decades from now.  I’m sure when the time comes, I’ll still be able to guide and help her through the difficult teen years, but it would still be nice to lay in a 100+ mph serve down the T as well.  heheeheh.  🙂

When I came home today, and I finally got to pick e up, no doubt in my mind, this is the best Birthday present I could ask for.  🙂