What do you value most?

I once worked with a very wise person who use to say things intermixed with regular conversation that would be quite profound. One of the things this person once said that set off an Epiphany with me was, "You only have to look at a persons checkbook to see what they value most." I couldn't wait to get alone so I could look at my checkbook register to see what I spent most of my money on. As I scrolled back through the pages and saw what I spent the most on over and over again, after housing and utilities, it was eating out with friends. I was shocked, but there it was on my bank statements too, charges to this restaurant, to that restaurant, and to the movie concession stand, etc. My biggest priority was social eating and junk food (Diet Coke, fast food, ice cream, etc)! I was ashamed.
Now 5 years later, I am married, a parent, and poorer. Our cost of living is much higher, there are three of us (to clothe, shelter, and feed), and I have a car payment that is ridiculously high because I haggled for the fake flower in the vase and paid sticker (that was probably the easiest sell that salesman ever had, "What you want a silver bug? Here is one with the works." me, "I'll take it but I want a flower in the vase." Yes, boys and girls it was that bad) I hardly ever socialize anymore. I don't have the time, what with school, work, and my family. I am not going to lie, I do miss it occasionally. My husband and I still spend a lot on food but now that we are both surgically altered, it is protein powders, bars, supplements, and meats. We still go out occasionally but it is as a family. I haven't had an alcoholic drink in almost 5 years and I haven't had a diet Coke in almost 3 years (people that know me well fainted at that last one). Becoming a parent, and having WLS have changed my priorities as well as my spending. I use to drink nothing but Diet Coke for most of my adult life. No water, no milk, no Crystal Light, nothing. If a restaurant didn't have diet cola, I didn't drink anything and I never went back. I realized the other day that I haven't set foot into a convenience store in Anchorage, ever and we have been her for over a year. I realized this is because I only purchased two things from them, junk food and Diet Coke. I pay at the pump now.
Tonight as I checked back over my online bank statement I see that I spent a substantial amount on Lilith's clothing in October (looks like I will be again soon as she measured 37 inches tall at her physical yesterday), I purchased a lot of bedding and bedroom decor for her room in September, and I started buying her Christmas presents in November. This isn't even going into all of the impulse buys that I make for her (a toy at the grocery store, a book or two at the gift shop where I work, the shirt or pj's that are just too cute to pass up at the mall, etc) at least weekly. She is by far my biggest expense, more than my car payment, more than our housing some months. I always buy her food and necessities first at the grocery store, it's what my mother always did too. Before I had Lilith I always bought cat food and supplies first, now it is second.
If what my long ago coworker said is true, then by far, what I value most now is Lilith and you know what, I am really proud and happy about that.