A look back at bachelorhood

Hindsight truly is 20/20. In the six months before my wife and i were married, i lived alone in a near empty apartment with an air mattress, my tv, and a bottle of mustard in the fridge. I was, in a sense completely self-absorbed, encapsulated by low expectations. I ate when i was hungry, i slept when i was tired. There was no driving agenda, no to-do list, nothing to worry about above and beyond work and spending time with my soon to be wife. Life was in a word, simple.
After we were married things obviously changed. Instantaneously, there was an agenda, there were chores, the mustard bottle was joined by vegetables, milk, and casseroles. At first it seemed like a million new variables had been plugged into my life equation, guaranteeing a life spent feverishly working out the solution to the ultimate question: How will i ever be able to do everything? I was happy. I just couldn't see how it was all going to fit together. I knew where i wanted to be and what i wanted to do, but i couldn't see the map.
Fast-forward two and a half years. I am in school now, working two part time jobs. Anna gave birth to our first child two months ago. The fridge is still filled with casseroles ( i really enjoy the one she makes with tater-tots on top), i clean the bathroom and kitchen (i have actually come to enjoy the dishes), and there are twice as many bills to pay. Things are tough, and yet when i hold my baby girl or feel anna's hand in mine, the load seems to temporarily lighten. If only for a moment, things are simple again. Those moments are the fuel of my life. I wouldn't trade anything for a return to my bachelor days. Although during the time she and the baby have been out of town, i haven't cleaned anything!