A Mike Life – The Life of Mike!

This and That

// June 10th, 2009 // family

Being a “bachelor” isn’t what it used to be.

That’s usually what us guys call it when the wife is out of town. We’re “bachelor-ing” it up. We can eat what we want, stay up as late as we want, watch what we want (although Jina would say I do that anyways) and generally do things we don’t normally get to do.

Of course, with me, I usually just veg out at home and don’t do a lot. Although this past Monday my buddy Tyler persuaded me to get out and do something, so we saw The Hangover (which was an instant classic). So glad I got out to see it.

But I realized something on Sunday afternoon when I was sitting in the airport waiting to return home (whilst my family drove on to Texas to return to Phoenix on Thursday):

Without them, my life sucks.

Those two girls of mine…they’re all that matters. When I was up Sunday morning from 3:30am to around 5:30 trying to get Lyla to get back to sleep, I was cherishing that moment because I knew I wouldn’t see her again until Thursday.

I didn’t expect the overwhelming sense of loneliness I got on Sunday night. I was almost aching on the way home knowing they wouldn’t be there that night.

I wasn’t like this before. I used to not even mind traveling for work, because it was fun to see new places and it was just part of my job.

I think it’s the idea that having a child suddenly gives you this real and complete “family” that is now your responsibility. It makes everything more meaningful. I loved Jina more than anything before, but now that we have this little bundle of joy to share, it makes her even MORE important to me than ever.

It makes everything more important.

I don’t like the guy I become when they are gone. Unmotivated, lazy. Man, if I were suddenly single again, I’d probably turn into a hermit.

It may not always be like this. I’m sure at some point, I’m going to LOVE the chance to get away by myself for a few days (Storm chasing tour in a few years?? Hmmmmm…)

But at least right now, I want them home. Cannot wait to pick them up from the airport tomorrow!