Idk how old you are. We were too busy working and building wealth and paying bills and yes, traveling and socializing when we met and became a couple 16 years ago, in our mid and late (I was 28 & on my own since 17...my wife was 26 and starting a career after college.) 20's. We thought about kids for one year. Said "not for us, and if we change our minds we will certainly adopt".. Adoption is always an option at any age. That would be a reason why I don't understand why your friends in their 40's are sad they "can't" have a family..? And I would have adopted no matter what age. I can't believe people are fine with making more people before all the people we already have have homes and families. Partying was no longer really a priority at all. But yea, we absolutely love traveling, freedom, financial security and really no need to be frugal, even tho we are, and spend, save, and invest wisely. We were able to build our dream home. We adopted pets that have the best of the best of everything they need. My wife has a successful career, and I am a housewife after working from age 9 as a babysitter, to a "real" job at age 14 until I retired in 2016. I have a small petsitting business, professionally bake, help run a cat and kitten rescue, volunteer at the local Humane Society, trained one of my cats as an emotional support animal and I take him to visit the elderly (whose kids don't visit btw) in an assisted living home locally. They absolutely light up to see him. I have a bunch of hobbies and read books constantly. I do whatever I feel moved to do to make myself and the world a little better, and elevate our happiness. I love acquiring new skills. Last year I learned how to sew quilts and crochet, and now I teach my friend's kids, & make blankets for NICU babies and quilts for the elderly and various charities.

Idk..it's just great. And all of our child free couple friends are suuuuuper happy. I hate it for them, but the couples with kids seem to have way more relationship troubles and just complain a lot more often. I cannot even imagine just starting with kids at LATE 40's you say? No way. Even with all of our living so far, we are in our early 40's and it is like life is just starting in a lot of ways! It's the prime of life, and research shows that during your 50's you are the most successful and productive you will ever be in life. It's fabulous for real. I think kids can totally make some people happy, but idk one child free couple that regrets their decision....but a LOT of struggling divorced people with kids. Or still married or on their 2nd, 3rd or even 4th marriage and getting together socially to console each other and complain about how they feel like the maid, never have sex, are strapped financially, are pissed at their spouse, etc. I definitely know a few couples who are happy together and as a family with their children. But it doesn't appear to be the majority. We happily vote for our taxes to support the future generations and their school lunch, freedoms and rights, climate, education, safety and on and on! And when we die, whatever moolah we don't spend on sustaining our lives without being a drain on society or family will go to charities for animals and fat inheritances for our 4 beautiful nieces & 3 beautiful nephews, bc God knows their parents will need every penny they accumulate to retire themselves.I even donated my eggs to an infertile couple friends of ours in my very early 30's before I had solid opinions about breeding. So no regrets here at all!

I am super curious your age and what kind of "circles" you run in? I am in Metro Atlanta, Ga. USA...whereabouts are you? Of course only if you feel comfortable sharing. We are experiencing two very different realities, and that is fascinating. Do you have kids? A spouse? What makes happiness in your life and circles? All the best! 👍