I married my wife when I was 26. She had a child already, so we never had any “just us” time. That was almost 10 years ago. We’ve had two more children since then.

Tonight, for the first time that I can remember since getting married, I am by myself. The wife and children and at her parent’s house. And the saddest thing is, I literally cannot think of anything I want to do. My entire life for the last decade has revolved around my children. Before they came along, I would hang out with friends, play video games, watch TV, go to casinos, etc.

But here I sit, with nothing to do. Years of neglecting myself and my social life for the sake of my children have led to this. Even the best man at my wedding – my best bud from college – hasn’t spoken to me in over five years.

I love my children, but I think I’ve lost a lot of myself over the past several years of raising them.