Chapter 1: Our Beginnings

It all began in December 2017 when we were reluctantly drawn to a birthday celebration.

I, Larilu, decided to attend primarily for a friend's sake, despite feeling drained from the previous night's festivities. My friend had announced it would be his last outing before departing the country for good. Ultimately, I joined him at the party, only to find myself in an unfamiliar apartment filled with strangers.

Abdiel, on the other hand, was exhausted from an exam and prepping for another looming on Monday. He preferred a quiet evening at home, counting down the days until he could visit family. However, he recognized the importance of attending the birthday party for the sake of the birthday girl, his friend.

Upon my arrival, he was busy making cocktails on the expansive balcony, while I remained oblivious to his presence. After an hour of scrolling through my stagnant Instagram feed—back when stories were nonexistent—I felt isolated. My friend was immersed in fun with his own circle, and I was too timid to engage with unfamiliar faces.

Then, Abdiel approached and quipped, “These things don’t happen where I’m from! Why are you glued to your phone?” And that, dear readers, marks the moment we met nearly seven years ago.

Chapter 2: Our Medium Journey

Over the past seven years, countless experiences have shaped our lives. We moved in together just before the pandemic and transformed our lifestyles, relocating across countries twice.

We found ourselves in Ireland, employed in roles we excelled in but did not enjoy. Working full-time in the bustling hospitality sector had its thrills, yet it also drained us both mentally and physically. Abdiel managed a busy café while I oversaw operations at a trendy ramen restaurant. Our schedules barely overlapped, leading to a sense of distance between us, almost like we were mere housemates instead of partners.

One day, we confronted the reality of our situation: we were neglecting our aspirations and, most painfully, our connection as husband and wife. We took the time to sit down and articulate our dreams for the future. I yearned to start writing and creating my own content, while Abdiel wanted to rekindle his passion for graphic design. We understood the need for financial stability and were willing to work for others in the interim, but our ultimate aim was to achieve economic independence and flexibility in pursuing our true passions.

During our recent relocation from Ireland to Poland, I contemplated launching a blog. However, I stumbled upon Medium and thought, “Why not give this platform a shot first?”

The video "LARI LU - Smok (Official Audio)" encapsulates our journey and the emotions we've experienced along the way.

Plans for the Future

We aspire to share our story, both as individuals and as a couple. While we may not be professionals, we approach everything we do with dedication and a desire to excel.

Our aim is to document our experiences, successes, and missteps, enabling you to learn alongside us. We are committed to continuous improvement and encouraging others to engage in introspective discussions—those challenging conversations you often avoid having with yourself.

This platform marks the starting point of our journey. We envision expanding our content beyond text to include videos, podcasts, and more. We invite you to join us on this learning journey we call life, and if our paths cross someday, let’s share a cup of coffee.