Welcome to Strahm Stories de Saudade

First, a sincere thank you to everyone who’s been following along on my Substack journey so far. I didn’t really know what I was doing when I started this and was nervous to write again, but the support I’ve received after my first few posts has been so unexpected and appreciated.

Whether you’ve read one of my essays, left a comment, shared something I wrote, or bought me a coffee (seriously?! So kind!)—your support has meant the world to me.

Now for the exciting news: I’m no longer writing alone. Starting today, this publication (originally just my name) becomes Strahm Stories de Saudade, and I’m thrilled to introduce my wife, Ashley (who you’ve already read a lot about), as a co-author. There’s so much about the stories we’ve lived that I believe should come directly from her; not just because I know she’ll tell them well, but because she holds so many identities and experiences I never will. And, if I’m honest, she’s the better writer of the two of us, which you’ll see for yourself when she publishes her first piece next week.

As for the name—saudade is one of those Portuguese words that’s difficult to translate to English. It captures a deep, wistful longing for something or someone, often with a sense of nostalgia and beauty. It’s become a favorite of ours since we moved to Lisbon and started learning Portuguese, and it feels like the perfect word to encapsulate this chapter in our lives: a search for home, for connection, for the things we miss and the things we’re still hoping to find.

What can you expect going forward? Weekly pieces from both of us on what it's like to build a life abroad. We’ll write about the move itself, cultural differences between life here and life back in the U.S., urbanism (a shared passion), and the more mundane but meaningful rhythms of living in a new country. We’ll talk about what we’re asked most about, what we didn’t expect, and what we’re most grateful for along the way. And, occasionally, whatever random topic is rattling around in our heads that week.

Our weekly essays will always be free in full, but if you’d like a closer look at our life in Portugal, consider upgrading to a paid subscription for access to our photo journal and additional commentary.

Thanks again for being here. We’re so excited to share this next chapter with you.

—Cody (and now Ashley) Strahm