Villlhelllm: How do You even Spell It?
Between Work and Love: Our Weekly Chronicle
Hey there, cherished ones,
There was a moment of poignant clarity when my phone vibrated with a text. It was a family member, reaching out with genuine concern. Admittedly, they were right on the money. Lately, our calls, messages, and the simple check-ins have been far and few. The rhythm of life, especially at work, seems to have swallowed Kat and me whole.
It’s fascinating how life unfolds. On one end, we’re both engulfed in our careers – chasing dreams, dodging curveballs, and often feeling like superheroes. On the other, it’s a sobering realization that in this chase, we sometimes overlook the silent beats of love from our dear ones.
We often describe ourselves as ‘workaholics,’ and that title comes with its pros and cons. While it’s a testimony to our commitment and passion, it’s also a cloak that sometimes hides us from life’s simple joys. That’s primarily why this newsletter was born – as a bridge, a window, and a connection to all of you.
Every week, Kat and I sit down, peel away the layers of our work life, and share snippets of our journey. These stories range from the exhilarating to the mundane, from the victories to the challenges. They’re raw, real, and they’re us.
“Short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.” This mantra reverberates in our minds daily. By putting in the grind now, we hope for a more serene, balanced future. But this doesn’t negate the present. Kat’s new role, with all its exciting nuances, and my fresh responsibilities, have reshaped our daily lives. Yet, we hold close the notion that no matter the whirlwind, there’s always a calm center.
To everyone reading this – know that you’re the anchor we cherish. In our hectic schedules, we may falter, but our intent remains unbroken. We might not always dial your number or knock on your door, but through these words, our stories, we hope to remind you that you’re a treasured part of our narrative.
So, expect our calls, brace yourself for those impromptu texts, and yes, don’t be surprised by the flurry of our Instagram messages. Because while we may be chasing dreams, we never forget the ones who make those dreams worth chasing.
With all our love.
A thoughtful gift for my birthday: “A pregnant Damian!”
You see, Damian is many things: charming, caring, generous, hilarious aaaand many other things! This year, he decided to surprise me with a birthday gift that I’ll remember for the rest of my life – a prenatal massage. Now, before you get all warm and fuzzy about the thought, let me give you a heads-up: Damian’s version of ‘normal’ can sometimes be slightly askew, and this surprise was no exception.
Now, to set the scene, let me tell you that I’d been waddling around like a penguin for months, thanks to the adorable little human growing inside me. My lower back had been making its protest known loud and clear. Damian, being the caring partner that he is, decided that a prenatal massage was the perfect gift to relieve my pregnancy aches and pains.
I was pumped about the idea of getting a prenatal massage! I mean, who wouldn’t be? The idea of being pampered and having someone work out those knots that were multiplying in my back like rabbits was pure bliss. So, off I went, eagerly anticipating an afternoon of relaxation and relief.
As I walked into the serene and elegant massage studio, the people behind the desk looked up with surprise. Their eyes went from me to the appointment book and back to me, eyebrows raised in puzzlement. They exchanged glances, and I could almost hear them mentally reciting, “The pregnant Damian…? Really?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle, considering Damian is about as pregnant as a cactus. It turns out that Damian had booked the massage under his name, not mine.
So, there I was, standing in front of these well-meaning folks who clearly didn’t know what pronouns to use, which, I must say, was utterly considerate of them. It was a bit awkward, but I appreciated their effort to be respectful. Eventually, I cleared up the confusion and explained the situation. Damian had set up this lovely surprise for me, not himself. They had a good laugh about it and said it was a first for them.
Once the hilarity had subsided and I was comfortably settled in the massage room, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself about Damian’s creative mix-up. He may have pulled a fast one on me, but he did it out of love and genuine concern for my well-being. I couldn’t ask for a more thoughtful partner.
Now, to add another layer to this comical adventure. Picture this: I walked into the massage room and was asked to lay down on my belly. You might think that’s a pretty ordinary request, but let me tell you, it was anything but! They had this contraption called a pregnancy belly pillow, which, in all honesty, looked like a very strange face coming out of space. It had all these crevices and contours to accommodate the baby bump, and it made me feel like I was about to embark on a sci-fi journey.
Lying on that peculiar pillow felt like a dream come true because, for the past seven months, my belly had been growing steadily, and lying on my belly had become a distant memory. I reveled in this newfound position, savoring the ability to lie on my front again. It was heavenly!
But the real adventure was just about to begin. As the massage therapist started working on my lower back, I thought, “This is going to be just fine.” A gentle rub here, a soothing knead there, and then BAM! She ventured into my hips, and that’s when I almost cried out in pain.
I swear I could feel every knot, every strain, and every ounce of tension in those hips of mine. It was like she had a secret map of my body and was expertly navigating through every painful detour. I must’ve made some interesting sounds during that phase of the massage, something between a groan, a sigh, and a gasp, which was nothing short of entertaining, I’m sure.
It turns out that my lower back wasn’t the only area in desperate need of attention – my hips had been quietly staging a rebellion for months. I can’t blame the therapist; she was just doing her job. And let’s be honest, she probably has stories to tell about the time she worked on a “pregnant Damian.”
In the end, the pain was totally worth it. I walked out of that massage studio feeling like a brand-new person, lighter and more relaxed than I had been in months. Damian’s well-intentioned surprise may have included a quirky twist, but it’s one I’ll cherish and laugh about for years to come. After all, what’s a birthday without a little hilarity and a whole lot of love? Damian, thank you for a memorable birthday gift. You may not be pregnant, but you’re certainly one-of-a-kind! ❤️
Woof, woof! Dapper and Boujee meet DALL-E-3
Woof, woof! Hey there, it’s us – Dapper and Boujee! 🐾
First things first, Dapper here: while I’ve been busy trying to master the art of fetching (still working on it), Boujee’s been digging into something called “AI.” I thought she’d found a new type of treat, but boy was I wrong! The other evening, after a riveting game of tug-of-war, Boujee dragged me over to our human’s computer. She’d been snooping on our favorite Frenchie Facebook page and found an image that looked suspiciously like… well, us!
Boujee (interjecting): That’s right! And guess what? The image wasn’t drawn by a human; it was created by an AI! I couldn’t believe my floppy ears! So, we did what any tech-savvy Frenchies would do: we hopped onto Bing (because, let’s be real, Google is sooo mainstream) and started experimenting. With just a few clicks and barks, we were generating our own artsy portraits.
Dapper: It’s fascinating! Who knew that while I was perfecting my “sit” command, AI was out here creating masterpieces? It’s a game-changer! Now, not only can I rock a bow tie, but I’m also an AI enthusiast.
Boujee: And for those wondering how two French bulldogs got into the AI game, let’s just say we’ve got a knack for being at the forefront of tech (and for eating socks). The future’s looking bright, and not just because I might’ve spotted a squirrel outside.
Dapper: So, whether you’re a two-legged tech guru or a four-legged furball like us, dive into the world of AI. And if you ever need some tech advice, just give us a bark! Just remember, we might get distracted by a squeaky toy or two. 🎾🖥️
Paw-five and tail wags,
Dapper & Boujee 🐶🐾
Thank you to our dear Vilhelmians for following our adventures! Hit like and subscribe for more! Get ready for a wild ride! Hit that subscribe button to join our awesome Substack community! Vilheeeeeelm!