Sorry about the party Romeo! These "firsts" certainly are hard. But, in my case, I had the option to come but chose not to and have no regrets in that regard. It is not appropriate for me to spend a week with my wife and family as though we are what we are not! A day outing or a special occassion I'm up for but no week long excursions. Yet, every summer we used to rent a cottage with friends and their kids and have a super time, this is the first year I won't be a part of it. Yes, this too shall pass but I'm not going to just shove the feelings away in order to be Super-Separated-Man , it hurts and if I need to cry I'm gonna...and then carry on. For too long I've tried to be too perfect and adjusted, it's OK to let things out once in a while and acknowledge the pain. It sucks but what is is!
