Grateful to my family

Celebrating 10 years of Beyond Dracula, is special because, during this period, not only did I create the company, but I also built a family. 

You could say my 30s were about creating families: at home, at work, around Romania.

I got married in 2014, had my daughter Magdalena in 2016, and my son Tudor in 2019.

Magdalena came to the office with me from the time she was 6 months old and until she turned 2 and a half. I had someone helping me, but she was with me every day, still breastfeeding and always open to cuddles and hugs; I actually don’t know how I got any work done. 

Tudor arrived shortly before the pandemic and benefited from having us all at home with him for most of his first 2 years of life.

They often join me on research trips and sometimes pop in my zoom calls. They are blonde and look Nordic, but they are ours although neither me or my husband are blonde anymore. (we used to be, as kids)

My husband is also an entrepreneur and an excellent angler. We actually have our offices in the same building, which is great for sharing meals but not so great when we have a conflict. 

They are my people.

Us on the first day of school, 2023

We start and end our days together. In between breakfast and dinner, we each have our place of work and fun.

When thinking of the next 10 years with Beyond Dracula, I realized this might be the last decade with our children still at home with us. I want to make the most of our time together and not just during vacations and weekends.

This gives me perspective, it grounds me and it gives me direction at the same time. And for that, and all the love, I am extremely grateful. 

What are you grateful for today?

Raluca