Dear Chris,
I have to say, I’m truly sorry. You had a solid run as an athlete without any serious injuries—at least none that required major surgery. But the reality is that aging isn’t kind. It’s going to be tough going through rehab and adjusting to a more sedentary lifestyle for a while.
Honestly, I’m more concerned about me. We have three little ones (with the oldest just four), and our two-story home isn’t going anywhere while you recover from your surgery this week. While you’re recovering on the couch, binge-watching Netflix, I’ll be juggling the kids.
Your recovery will be a bit different now that we have kids. If we didn’t have them, I’d probably take time off work, set up a cozy recovery area with snacks and movies, and plaster the house with motivational notes. But instead, you’ll be responsible for setting your own alarms for pain meds. I’ll leave some water and snacks by your bedside and check in at around 7:30 PM. Good luck with that! Let’s just say, I didn’t drop out of nursing school just because of anatomy—I realized I’m not exactly the most patient person.
Oh, and if you happen to have a secret spouse I’m unaware of, now would be a good time to come clean. I could really use her help over the next couple of weeks.
Your Future Athletic Pursuits
Now, let’s talk about your future athletic pursuits. Your recent injury came from playing adult league flag football, which raises a few eyebrows: 1) You didn’t play football in your youth, 2) We’re in Texas, where football is practically religion, and everyone who played in high school swears they were NFL-bound until they got overlooked, and 3) You were up against 20-somethings.
Whoever said that thirty is the new twenty clearly wasn’t talking about sports. Let’s be honest: thirty-year-olds don’t play like that anymore.
There are plenty of ways to stay active without risking injury. We’re surrounded by running trails, we belong to a gym, and we have three energetic kids to chase around. Going forward, please stick to activities that involve running straight ahead. You could participate in races, triathlons, or even the MS 150! But anything that involves quick cuts, competitive 20-somethings, or keeping score? That’s a hard pass.
We’ll manage through this, but one small favor: if someone offers help, please suggest they bring dinner, take a kid or two off my hands, or give you a ride to work.
With love,
Your Wife
P.S. If you’re interested in more on this topic, check out this post about home insemination for some insightful tips. And if you’re looking for at-home insemination kits, Make a Mom is a great resource. For further information regarding pregnancy and home insemination, refer to this essential guide.
In summary, as we navigate this new chapter, let’s prioritize safety and smart choices in fitness, while also supporting one another through these challenges.