I try to pretend I have no regrets, but, as a former history major, I know we learn from the past, our own included.

 This is something of a follow up to my "Is 50 the New 30?" post. If one of the advantages is that we have more life experience, we should not make the same mistakes twice. Lots of room that way to make fresh mistakes!

In that spirit, I think that:

1. I would have told S that I loved her, and not in the silly platonic way we pretended. Oh, sure, she probably knew how I felt, and was kind enough not to break my heart and ruin a great friendship, but my heart bled anyway. What I've learned is to go all in.
2.  I would not have left the Nice Catholic Girl's halloween party early, allowing my room mate to seize the opportunity which was mine, and date her then dump her, leaving us only one night at end of term to contemplate what might have been. What I've learned is to seize today, tomorrow will always be there.
3. I would have taken the bus ride to visit the NCG for the weekend the next semester. Not travelling ten hours " because I might not to get laid" was a rookie mistake. What I've learned is not to let downsides obscure upsides.
4. I would have overcome my shyness with women and gone to the prom. What i've learned is that some experiences only come around once, so you have to go for it.
5. I would have started my own business. What I've learned is I like to do it my way.
6. I would have studied more philosophy courses. What I've learned is that you can never learn too much.
7. I would have kept coaching Little League. I meant to get back into it, but my kids played soccer. soccer bores me.What I've learned is that I loved it.
8. I would have not moved into my parent's basement after university, but would have gotten my own place immediately. What I've learned is that there is such a thing as too comfortable.
9. I would not have gone into debt to try to make my wife happy. What I've learned is that you can't buy happiness.
10. I would not have allowed my marriage to socially isolaste me. What I've learned is the importance of having friends.

And, oh, sure, there could be lots of choices about "nots" regarding my marriage. Certainly, I learned that rushing into it, and continuing even after you know its a disaster, are bad ideas, but the thing is...ifI'd done that part differently, I wouldn't have my great kids, and I woudn't change that part for anything. 

So, because of them, I have no regrets.