Sometimes paths will never connect. I know that every decision made, changes my destiny which inevitability leads me to doing exactly what I am doing right this moment…which is of course writing one awesome blog post!
Okay, seriously…I chose the family path. I don’t regret it, not in the least, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes daydream about the “what if” factor. What if, I chose plan B? What if I stood up for myself instead of fulfilling someone else’s dream? What if I accomplished all of my other dreams and goals? What if?
I had a long talk with Travis yesterday about this very subject. I love how he can put the personal side away for a moment and just talk to me like a friend instead of a husband. It was really important in this conversation, because I was basically telling him that sometimes I wish that I chose career over family. That has to be hard to hear from your wife. But, I needed someone to listen and he was there…he is an amazing man.
On Friday, I begged profusely to Travis to take me and the kids to see Julie and Julia. I have been dreaming of this movie for weeks and I just couldn’t wait until Abby could watch the kids to see it. Luck was on my side, because it was raining and there was absolutely nothing else to do other than go to a movie. So, after some bribing he said yes. Now taking kids to a non-kid movie is crazy, I don’t recommend it…but, Brook and Blake were so very good and I was able to see a movie about a woman that most chef’s admire…Julia Child. I won’t go into the story, but if you are a foodie, I recommend watching the movie…if you are interested you can read more about the movie here.
Back to me!
Of course the movie made me miss the road less traveled. Here is the what if I said something different dream.
What if I told my Mom that I didn’t want to fulfill her dream of going to a “traditional” university? What if I told her I was going to apply and go to the CIA (Culinary Institute of America)? What if I actually went? Where would I be right this minute?
I would like to think that if that scenario happened, that I would be either working in Paris or New York this very minute. Hopefully, by now I would either be part or full owner of my own restaurant and I would be in the creme de la creme of chefs. You know, the ones who people talk about, the ones where you need to make reservations months ahead of time for a table. I would like to think that I would be there. I would also hope that I would travel to learn about new trends in food and to have a cultural knowledge of my art as well as a gift for technique and talent.
I would like to think that I would have kicked some major ass in the food world! I really don’t think I would have been everyday famous like the food network people, but I would have been awesome!
Instead…I chose family. I chose to make my Mom happy and I went to ASU…I met my husband and together we started and have a wonderful little life full of laughter, children and love. I don’t regret any of my decisions.
I have thought long and hard and have come to the realization that these two lives can and will never meet. If, I chose plan B, I only see it being a success because I chose to stay single without children. Or, I would have gotten married much, much later in life, but I still don’t see children in the plan B dream.
Now, I can’t imagine my life without my husband and my children…Brook, Blake, Travis…they are my world.
Plan B sounds nice on paper, but the reality of now is soooo much better.
And for all of you thinking I can do it all, I could still go to school and own a restaurant…yeah, in some ways you are right. BUT…it wouldn’t be the same. The restaurant life is hard on a family and I just don’t want to put them through that. My heart would always be torn, always be where I wasn’t.
Career or Family?
Answer is family because this…this is the good life.
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