Suit envy.

In my previous life, I worked in an ad agency. It was hard work, but it was pretty darn fun most of the time. I was surrounded by smart, creative people. I dressed nicely and went to meetings where I spoke and people listened (sometimes). I went to parties. It was pretty nifty. And then, I got knocked up. (I know, that makes it sound like a mistake. It wasn’t. But it sure changed things.)

I found a nanny and went back to work 6 short weeks after the baby was born. Since Andrew was traveling 75% of the time — mostly to Southeastern California — leaving me home alone with our new baby, I have to say that some of the fun of the “fast life” was sucked out. Make that all of the fun was sucked out. So the day that Jenn told me that my kid’s first tooth was coming in, I collapsed. I was supposed to be the one to know that. Not her!

Needless to say, I put in my notice. I had a business idea that I just knew I could make work. I mean, if you subtract the cost of the nanny and the great clothes, how much would I need anyway?

So the kid was almost one and I was a business owner. It was great. I dabbled. And the business started to grow by referrals and such. I had another baby. Andrew was still in California every week staying in a crummy hotel, eating Mexican food, and helping to develop a geothermal energy plant. And the work kept coming. I had another baby. Okay, are you seeing a pattern here?

Just like the Clampetts, we packed up our things and moved. But east, not west. No more traveling. (No more babies!) Andrew joined me in growing the business. It’s been a fun ride. We have a bunch of people working for us. The work is stimulating. Great variety. Terrific clients. My own schedule. Amazing gig.

But.

Today, I was in a 5-hour series of meetings with a new client. I’ll be working with them for 3-4 months on some really interesting research initiatives. In the meeting were the key players from this client’s four, yes four, agencies. The PR agency, the advertising agency, the Hispanic agency and the promotions agency. They were smart and together and energizing. It was incredible. And though some were younger than me, most were seasoned professionals. I felt at home. I didn’t realize how much I missed being in that world.

Until I got home (after a delay on the metro) and hugged my boys.

I’m going to love this gig. But I’ll always love my family life more.