She understood, but asked when their journey could continue.

"But then she asked the killer question: So when is it going to be time? Our time? My time? The questions just hung there in the cold morning African air."

"Allow me to spare you the rest of the truths. But the short answer is simply that I could not find a good argument to tell Tamar we should wait any longer for us to grab our backpacks and hit the road - celebrate our last 25 years together by turning the page and enjoy a perfectly fine mid life crisis full of bliss and beauty, and leave the door open to serendipity for our next leadership opportunities, once our long list of travels and adventures is exhausted."

What the outgoing CFO opted not to mention in his retirement announcement is the money he is walking away from. Pichette was paid $62.2M from 2010 through 2013. Although it is not known what his annual salary is, his replacement, Morgan Stanley CFO Ruth Porat, inked a $70 million pay deal.

Although he has made enough to walk away, it was surely difficult to actually do so.

"In the end, life is wonderful, but nonetheless a series of tradeoffs, especially between business/professional endeavours and family/community. And thankfully, I feel I’m at a point in my life where I no longer have to have to make such tough choices anymore. And for that I am truly grateful. Carpe Diem."