On Sept 18th I became a dad.
(Excuse me while *I* have to reread that last sentence.)
I'm an engineer. Sometimes, when faced with a nearly incomprehensible statement like that one, I have to put some numbers on it to cope. Unfortunately not all numbers help. Here are a few that have passed through my head lately
- She'll be in the high school class of 2027.
- I'll be 56 at her graduation.
- In-state college will be about $32,000/year. Private school will be twice that.(Inflation adjusted)
- If I save $365/month starting now I might be able to cover 4 years of an in-state school.
- My dad, when he was my age, had a 13-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son.
- The ratio of eggs-to-baskets just went from 1:1 to 3:1. (Was two people supported by two paychecks. Now three people on one paycheck.)
- When she gets her license The Triumph will be 51 years old. (Luckily, by then, there won't be any gas and all the cars will be DeLoreans powered by "Mr Fusion" so I won't have to worry about her wanting to borrow it.)
This isn't helping.
So, what does this mean for the garage? I'm not sure yet. Certainly it will mean less funds to play with. The track season next year will be shorter (if it exists at all). I might have to give up the Seahawks season tickets. And, if you know anyone in the market for a Mallard TR6, please let me know.
4 comments:
The one thing the numbers don't/can't say is how much you'll realize all the sacrifice you'll be making will be worth :)
That being said, just like they tell moms, dads should take care of themselves too, and that means getting out with time to yourself.
T will be better off with a happy dad with some hobbies rather than one who's grumpy all the time. And anyway, I think it'd be pretty cool to have a motorcycle-racing/classic car-loving daughter :)
Belated congrats by the way -- haven't had a chance to tell you "directly" 'til now :D
Sobering, isn't it?
But as LL said, the effort and whatever sacrifices will be totally worth it. You will end up willing to pay a fortune just to hear that child call you Daddy and feel those loving hugs. And then one day, almost before you even know it, you'll be having grandchildren!
Enjoy the time you'll have as the father of a little one, it goes so fast.
The bike days will return! You may need a trike or a sidecar then, and have arthritis in your throttle hand, but you will ride again and have spending money again. It still will be fun. Take it from one who knows.
GREAT Auntie S., and old lady on a bike.
I think this just means you should plan on homeschooling for college :)
Hey TJ, can you shoot me your e-mail address? I have a legit advertising proposition for you. Thanks!
- gentry.kasa@gmail.com
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