Cat parent 
Your identity (besides liking pianos or being a musician)
Well, if you asked Syd she would definitely you that my purpose is to look after her needs, provide entertainment and play games with her. 
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If you're a zombie and you know it, bite your friend!
More than a wife, I am a lover. A married lover. I love my husband so, so much.
There are many more parts in my identity, of course. Retired psychologist is one of them. And a few private ones. But most of all, I love my husband.
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... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...
After my declaration, nobody dares to write anything more in this thread! 
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... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...
Animisha But most of all, I love my husband.
What about your parents and family etc?
Oh, if I had known we were going to get corny, I'd have gone on and on about how much I love my precious Gigi! She is sweet and pretty and the best kitty ever ...
Oh yeah, I'm fond of my wife as well. 
men can sing!
)- Edited
I am an academic (for better and worse 
I teach and do research, and I recently accepted additional responsibilities (program coordinator). My professional life and professional activities are important to me and form a big part of my identity.
I’m sort of smack dab in the middle of my academic career, I recently got tenure, moved to a better institution (got tenure here), am running several research projects, supervise grad students…
But I also value work/life balance and try really hard to preserve some free time for myself. That didn’t work well last year, my first year at the new institution. In the fall semester, I pretty much worked seven days a week for about four months straight. It was awful. The spring semester got a little better, and I hoping the coming year will be even better.
So although my professional identity is important to me, and I care deeply about the work I do, I also don’t want it to take over my life.
Balance is hard to achieve and even harder to maintain.
Animisha After my declaration, nobody dares to write anything more in this thread!
That was sweet of you! Kinda hard to know what to say after that without getting way out into the weeds. 
Also happily married here, too. First time didn't stick after 13 years. Second time happened 23 years ago and we have a good thing goin'. Wish I coulda started out with her. We were the "middle aged newlyweds" for a lotta years and then other people started being married less years than we were. Kinda sneaks up on ya.
Anyway, could get to be quite a lengthy post...
ShiroKuro Balance is hard to achieve and even harder to maintain.
My impression is that this is especially difficult in the US.
When I worked in Child Psychiatry, we had to clock in and out on an electronic punch clock. At first, I disliked it, but I came to love it. If we worked more than 40 hours one week, we could work less the other week.
Due to patient confidentiality, we also had no access to any of our files or mail when we were not at work.
So you are struggling within a system that is not made for individual balance. That is why it is so difficult.
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... feeling like the pianist on the Titanic ...
Animisha My impression is that this is especially difficult in the US.
[cut]
So you are struggling within a system that is not made for individual balance. That is why it is so difficult.
Yes, this exactly. There are a lot of things wrong with America (we won't go there) but work culture is definitely one of them.
Look at all these old couples speaking like lovebirds. Meanwhile I'm here with the missus and our 21-year marriage and the feeling is certainly not the gushing love that I see from the posts above. More like two friends with the comfort of an old pair of socks. But good socks, and clean enough.
Hmmm...
In the quiet of the night, as shadows fall,
I find solace in the silence of it all.
The world outside seems distant, yet so near,
A fragile thread of hope, a whispered fear.
I'm so glad you haven't called in that hitman yet,
Because I'd really like a few more years to forget.
The mistakes and the pain, the sorrow and regret,
To find peace in the moments we haven't met.
Life's a journey, winding and unsure,
Each step a dance on a tightrope, so pure.
With every heartbeat, a promise, a plea,
For a chance to live, to simply be free.
In your eyes, I see the storm's unrest,
A tempest of emotions, a silent protest.
Yet here we stand, on this precipice of fate,
Two souls entwined, as we navigate.
I'm so glad you haven't called in that hitman yet,
For the future holds dreams we haven't set.
Together we'll find a way to mend,
To cherish the days, until the very end.
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If you're a zombie and you know it, bite your friend!
Hey diddle diddle, the cat and the violin ....
Well, you did say you wanted a corny love song! 
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If you're a zombie and you know it, bite your friend!
- Edited
Bellyman Everything in your post, pretty much mirrors my own journey, especially the '23 years ago' !
So I am going to crank up the corn level to 11 and post a link to my corny love song!
13 days later
- Edited
HeartKeys When one talks about things such as what they like, or what they do, or have done, it sometimes comes off like a resume, or sounds like boasting. And, many people feel so connected to their work, or interests, that they may consider those things to be what defines them as a person, or how they’d like to be remembered. While others may see certain undefinable aspects of that person, which might also depend on the relationship with said person, family vs. strangers, for example. As individuals, we can hope that others see us as we would like to be seen, but it’s kind of out of our hands. So, in an attempt to answer the original question, for those who might be interested, see my profile, then judge for yourself.