that’s assuming you get a kitten and it lives a long life. I’d actually suggest getting an older, calmer rescue cat for your first one. Kittens are a LOT to handle.
that’s true, I was definitely thinking of at least an adult cat, since then you actually know what kind of personality it has and stuff like that.
I also am hesitant because I remember what it felt like when our dog died a few years ago. :(
otoh, if I think about it like that I will never want to make friends or meet relatives ever again so I’m going to try to avoid that entire train of thought.