The Secret Life of a Professional Daydreamer

Life has a funny way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it. Meet our protagonist, a modern-day heroine we'll call "Lisa." Lisa is in her early thirties, an office dynamo by day and a superhero of daily life by night. She’s got a partner at home and a mini-me who keeps her on her toes. But just when she thought she had the whole "adulting" thing figured out, the universe threw her a curveball that made her feel like a giddy teenager again.

Lisa has been around the emotional block a few times. Love and its fickle cousin, infatuation, have visited her more often than her nosy neighbor. Yet here she is, in the prime of her life, finding herself with a secret crush. Here comes the Hmmmmm moment. Let’s call him "Mr. Dreamboat." Mr. Dreamboat, with his impeccable style and charisma, has the uncanny ability to make his surroundings feel like a rom-com set.

Every time Mr. Dreamboat walks by, Lisa's heart does a little jig, reminiscent of the days when just seeing your crush in the hallway could make your palms sweat. However, in the sophisticated world of basic etiquettes, harboring a crush on a Mr. Dreamboat is a delicate dance! Lisa, ever the consummate professional, channels her mixed feelings into humorous musings and sarcastic asides, because what else can you do when your heart’s doing the cha-cha at the sight of an expertly tailored suit?

Consider the day when Mr. Dreamboat was leading a particularly dull meeting. As he droned on about quarterly figures, Lisa’s mind wandered to the lyrical quality of his voice. She imagined him narrating an audiobook, perhaps a thriller where quarterly reports could cause actual suspense. Lost in her reverie, she accidentally answered a colleague’s question with, “Absolutely, Mr. Dreamboat!” The room went silent. Quickly recovering, she added, “I mean, absolutely, the report is... riveting.” Note to self: daydreams and meetings don’t mix.

Then there are the lunchroom encounters. One fateful day, Lisa decided to start a conversation with Mr. Dreamboat about coffee—surely a safe topic. “Do you like your coffee like your spreadsheets? Strong and full of bold choices?” she ventured, aiming for casual wit. Mr. Dreamboat, with a twinkle in his eye, replied, “I like my coffee like I like my presentations—smooth and capable of keeping everyone awake.” Touché, Mr. Dreamboat. Touché.

Lisa’s inner commentary during these interactions is a comedy show in itself. She rates her conversational performance as if she were a judge on a talent show, awarding herself points for quick thinking and docking points for any sign of blushing or stammering. It’s a high-stakes game of charm and composure, and the results are often hilarious.

Outside this "butterflies in the stomach world", Lisa's life is a whirlwind of daily tasks, peppered with moments of fantasy involving Mr. Dreamboat. She imagines running into him at the grocery store, both reaching for the same organic avocado (PS - she eats healthy!), their hands brushing lightly, sparking a connection strong enough to power the entire produce section. But reality is less poetic, as she often finds herself lost in thought, comparing prices and hoping she remembered to bring the reusable bags.

Let’s not be too harsh on Lisa. Emotions are unpredictable and often inconvenient, and sometimes, a harmless crush is just the thing to add a little spice to the mundane. Lisa's story is a lighthearted reminder that no matter how grown-up we think we are, life has a way of making us feel like lovestruck teenagers again.

In the grand comedy of existence, Lisa continues her balancing act with the grace of a trapeze artist. She’s learned to laugh at her own ridiculousness and appreciate the fluttery feelings that Mr. Dreamboat unknowingly stirs. After all, what’s life without a bit of humor and a few butterflies?

So, here’s to Lisa and all the others out there with secret crushes. May you find the humor in your own romantic escapades and remember: it’s perfectly okay to feel like a kid again, even if just for a fleeting moment.

And to my readers, if you ever find yourselves in Lisa’s shoes, just keep your spreadsheets strong, your presentations smooth, and your coffee invigorating. And who knows? Maybe the next time you reach for that avocado, it could be the start of your own sitcom-worthy adventure.

Note - I hope you are listening Mr. Dreamboats! This is solely for you!