After college, I landed my first real job in IT. At work, I met a girl who had a baby without the father around. We got married, bought a house in the suburbs, and a couple of cars—following what I thought was the right path. Two years later, we were both miserable, and she found comfort in another man’s arms. I felt completely lost. My marriage fell apart, my job contract was ending, and I sank into deep depression.

Then my dad bought me a plane ticket to Los Angeles, where two close friends lived. That simple gesture changed everything. I had an amazing time in LA with my friends who convinced me to move out and live with them. I returned home, filed for divorce, sold the house and cars, packed up my things, and left. That was 20 years ago.

Since then, I remarried an incredible woman. We have two wonderful kids. I’ve lived in LA, NYC, and now Denver. I’ve traveled extensively, hung out with rock stars, and laughed until it hurt. I can’t even imagine how different my life would have been if I had stayed with my first wife.

Years later, I saw her at a wedding. She apologized for what she did. I told her not to be sorry and thanked her for everything.