I didn't mean to imply that all women were like that, and all men weren't.
It's true, some people see others only as part of their own self-actualization. To them, you are an employee or crew, instead of a partner or shipmate. I was just facetiously pointing out my perception of the meme that when when men pursue their dreams, it is self-indulgence and selfishness; when women pursue theirs it's OK because it's for the good of the household, family or the relationship.

In the past, when men held all economic and social power, they often abused this privilege. Now that we have become more egalitarian and democratic in our relationships, we sometimes see men being accused of selfishly exercising options that somehow are more acceptable when taken by their newly-liberated mates. Unfortunately, the men most likely to be taken advantage of by this double standard are precisely those most willing to share their lives generously with their wives.

As for my own wife, you're damn right, I was very lucky. In fact, I don't mind saying we both were. 27 years.