There are times when I wonder how we got here. There was a time before these days when we were newly married. Not even 30 years of age, we were carefree and filled with the op­ti­mism born of a newlywed couple. The future was an unwritten book, full of world travels, chil­dren playing on vin­tage harlequin tile floors, and growing old together.

That was nearly 15 years ago. I barely recog­nize us now. The love remains – and nothing could change it – but these days are not what we planned, and sometimes I feel much …