Since I am a bit of a cynic, don’t forget that the lottery is a tax on those who can’t do math.

Assuming you get so far as to the marriage state of life, your odds are roughly 50/50 of divorce in a first marriage.

Of the 50 that stay in, many don’t bother to divorce because the financial impact is intense. Hence the term “cheaper to keep her.” Or, they’ll stay in as long as they can bear for the kiddos (which is actually harmful to them.) So the actual happiness percentage is less than half.

For the other 50, of which I am a part, divorce rates get higher for each subsequent marriage. The chances of winning red on the roulette wheel are higher.

Perhaps the worldview I was raised in is wrong: dating has its endgame in a life long committed relationship. I never felt comfortable with the idea of dating “just because”. I have friends who fill those roles of my social needs.

In my case, I have a career and two young kids (joint custody). When in not working, I’m either with the kiddos, doing errands, or maintaining the few close friendships I have before the next day begins.

My calculations conclude that this lottery is a fool’s game. So I don’t play, and most certainly don’t recommend it to anyone.