I came here to say the same. And let me just say, that with special needs children, it truly is the hardest thing I've ever done. I remember older people saying that sort of thing before I was a parent and I was SO DISMISSIVE. Like, "oh yeah sure, you put you heart into it, it's important to you," whatever. But holy fuck. It's actually really really hard. Love is NOT enough. Strategy is NOT enough. Patience is NOT enough. It takes everything you've got.

Even though lots of people are parents, being a good parent requires a huge amount of work before, during, and after their childhood. We should celebrate people who actively give their children a good household and life. Your life is going to be pretty turned upside by having children whether you invest your energy in them or not - might as well make something great out of it.

Cobuilding and comaintaining the whole family unit is a major accomplishment that we do not sufficiently value in the tech community, especially in the VFX & video game industries. Sure you raised some VC or had an exit or launched a game or got a paper accepted somewhere or have a popular open source project, but did you completely sacrifice having a family to do it?

Presumably you had assistance. Altho if it was a wholly individual achievement, there should be a lot more celebration.

The process was not biblical, though it was fun.

That process is entirely biblical, insofar as it's often referred to as "knowing in a biblical way".

It's just not that particular one that's biblically famous.

I've got one of each and they are unquestionably the best things I've made, done or invested in.

mine is a son. he's tempering my patience all day every day. and I'm absolutely fine with it.