A really good friend of mine recently wondered what I thought about his lifestyle choices. By lifestyle choices, he meant being a parent, married to a beautiful and brilliant woman, and owning a home in a nice suburb.

The question on its face is kind of curious in a way, because that in essence is the American Dream. Of my friends, he perhaps comes the closest to living the much maligned but allegedly seldom realized vision. And honestly, he also probably appreciates what he has more than most, too.

My answer back? Basically, different people are suited for different kinds of lives. He embraces the dad and picket fence thing and I’m grateful for it, because I know there’s one person in the universe who’s going to add a hell of a lot more to this place than he’ll ever take. I know him well and I know the kinds of choices he makes, and have a pretty good idea about the sort of of values he’ll pass along to his son.

Also, there’s nothing wrong with wanting convention, any more than wanting something else. Though as I age I wonder how few opt for an alternative. At this point, very few of my married friends are childless. The simplest explanation: having a family is what works best for them. Therefore, full steam ahead. I wish you all the best.

In the moment though, I probably said something slighlty less about his prowess and more about me. Oh well. Here’s to getting the answer more right. Eventually.