I gave up another life to be a father

I was a single bar hoping mess before I met my wife. I lived in a house with 4-5 other people living there for a 1/5 of the rent and utilities. Worked at a dead end retail store job stocking shelves in the night and riding my sting ray bike during the day to a coffee shop to read a book. Although I was making half the income I do now, I was able to set aside money for things like a cell phone, gym membership, no car payment and tanning on Wednesdays. I even had a time I lived off my checking account for 3 months without cashing a check. They accumulated under my calendar pinned with a thumbtack in my bedroom. I was extremely self sufficient in those days and was depressed about my lack of future. No steady girlfriend, no children and no future.....

Now I look at my life, and I have none of those luxuries I gave up. But what I do have is a daughter's smile that makes me melt each and every time I see her. I great wife that is there for me even when I don't deserve it, a son coming and a future full of promise. My life is way more complicated, but I hope I never have to go back to the old life.

For starters...

As a child we don't necessarily see what our parents go through to keep you alive. Things that seemed trivial and petty to a child, like why your parents couldn't do things for you or afford things are more evident when you grow up and it becomes your turn. When your a child your priorities are candy, new clothes and what you can get away with. When you become an adult, you get anxiety over making the car payment and keeping your job that is slowly killing you. I am a man nearing thirty, have a wonderful 25 year old wife, a beautiful 1 year old daughter and a son on the way in October! I never imagined the stress that comes with the title of father and it can be just as big of a pain in the ass as it can be a blessing. :)