New Year’s Eve 1999 was when my (now) wife and I ‘officially’ decided to become a couple.

As you can imagine, a few things have changed since then . . .

Then: Up until 6 AM January 1st.

Now: Up at 6 AM January 1st.

Then: Big kisses, hugs, champagne, singing, cheers and debauchery at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Now: Possibly a slap on the ass and a “roll over, you’re snoring” at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Then: Broke but happy.

Now: Crippling debt load but happy.

Then: Cleaned up a bunch of gross stuff courtesy of partying friends.

Now: Changed a bunch of gross diapers.

Then: Drank 4 beers, 3 shots of Jagr, 3 rum & Cokes, 2 cherry whiskies, 2 red wines, a few champagnes and a bunch of cheap scotch.

Now: Drank 4 beers.

Then: Woke up feeling like a Boeing 747 had missed the runway and made an emergency crash-landing inside my skull, its landing gear shredding much of my cerebral cortex and my frontal lobe getting caught in the starboard engine.  Spent most of the day running to the bathroom and praying that the sweet relief of death might come swiftly.

Now: Woke up feeling great (aside from the chronic exhaustion that now ushers in each of our waking moments).  Spent most of the day being silly with two giggly little kids.  Learning animal noises, playing Wii bowling, reading Where the Wild Things Are and being attacked by fiendish hordes of Tickle Monsters.

Then: Spent night with future wife.  Didn’t do much talking.

Now: Spent night with current wife.  Mostly talked.

Then: Avoided my parents at all costs.

Now: Went over to my parents’ place for a happy hour drink.  Later on, the same night, decided that wasn’t enough, and had them over to my place for a New Year’s toast.

Then: Had an exciting, happy, fun New Year’s full of promise and wonder.

Now: Had an exciting, happy, fun New Year’s full of promise and wonder.