9 Comments
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Ella Salalac's avatar

Tell me why this made me tear up! Thanks for modeling the kind of healthy mindset fathers should have.

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Michael Venutolo-Mantovani's avatar

Ah thanks for the note! It made my morning.

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Elizabeth Aquino's avatar

I like this so much — and am reminded of the great Raymond Carver short story, “Everything Stuck to Him.”

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Michael Venutolo-Mantovani's avatar

Oh I don't know that one! I'll check it out.

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Josh Knox's avatar

Good choice.

Also, just checked and our family calendar is still open if the PR opportunity is still available.

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Michael Venutolo-Mantovani's avatar

hahaha I'll forward your name along!

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Cory Checketts's avatar

These are the kinds of articles I love to read. You made the right decision. It took me a few years to settle into my role as a father. Those first few years I wanted to keep living the live I had while also having a family. Now that I'm six years into this life, my reply to most requests (none of them like the one you were offered) is no. I, too, would rather be with my kids than anywhere else.

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Michael Venutolo-Mantovani's avatar

And the best part about it is—and this may be a very personal thing—but I don't regret missing out on these kinds of things at all. I'm constantly missing out on bands I want to see and things I want to do. Hell, I'm missing the next seven weeks of my favorite weekly group bicycle ride because my son has a basketball camp that conflicts with the timing. And never once do I yearn for the <other> thing.

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Cory Checketts's avatar

That's awesome. I appreciate the perspective and maturity you show in your articles. It helps a slob like myself.

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