From Hogwarts to Middle-Earth: My Journey into Epic Fantasy (Thanks to My Wife)
Myself holding my son on the couch while watching a movie together, creating a cozy and intimate moment.
Last year, my wife unknowingly introduced me to a world that I never thought I’d fall so in love with—Harry Potter. Whether she planned to create a Potterhead out of me is something only she knows, but what I do know is that it worked. I was hooked. What started as a casual introduction to wizards, witches, and magic quickly turned into a deep dive into a world I now feel completely immersed in.
From the first movie to the last, I found myself absorbed by the stories of Harry, Ron, and Professor Snape (who became my favorite character), the magical creatures, the lore, and, of course, the unforgettable setting of Hogwarts. What started as an innocent movie marathon evolved into something more—Harry Potter became a part of our lives in ways I didn’t expect.
Turning Fall Into a Magical Season
A living room decorated with a Harry Potter theme, featuring floating candles hanging from the ceiling and a magical, cozy atmosphere
Fall has always been my favorite season. There’s just something about the crisp air, cozy nights, hoodie weather and the chance to break out all the decorations that makes it special. But ever since Harry Potter entered the picture, fall has become even more epic in our house.
A small shelf decorated for fall with candles, a small pumpkin, and a Mandrake figurine from Harry Potter, adding a touch of whimsy to the decor.
It has started small so far, with a few themed decorations here and there— a couple mandrakes, the floating candles and a couple other things. I won’t lie—it’s been one of the most fun ways to enjoy the season. Seeing the pumpkins, the floating candles, and the small Harry Potter decorations throughout our home makes autumn even more magical than before.
Turning my favorite season into a Potter-themed extravaganza was something I didn’t see coming, but I’m loving every second of it. It’s become something I definitely hope we continue to do. It makes me so excited to do our marathon of Harry Potter, which has surprisingly not happened yet. I’ll keep you posted, quite literally, I’ll be posting it to my social media!
The Wizarding World Goes Digital: Hogwarts Legacy
A screenshot from a Hogwarts Legacy stream showing me at my desk, with my son behind me in the webcam, adding a personal and playful touch.
As if becoming a Potterhead wasn’t enough, it wasn’t long before my love for the wizarding world seeped into my gaming life. Enter Hogwarts Legacy, a game I’d been hearing whispers about for a while. I figured, “Why not give it a try? It was on sale and if it’s as good as the series, I’m sure I will like it.”
Let me tell you—it’s been everything I’d hoped for and more. Exploring Hogwarts in a fully immersive game has been a dream come true. The spells, the adventures, the opportunity to carve out my own journey as a wizard—it’s been pure magic (pun intended). Streaming the game has been just as much fun as playing it, and connecting with others who are just as obsessed with the world has been a blast.
I never thought I’d enjoy a game like Hogwarts Legacy as much as I have. Every session brings new adventures, and every moment feels like a nostalgic nod to the series I’ve come to love. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out on something truly special.
A New Adventure: Enter Middle-Earth
Photo by Vincent M.A. Janssen
Just when I thought my wife’s influence couldn’t get any stronger, she threw another curveball my way. This time, it’s The Lord of the Rings. Yes, I know— ”how have you not seen these movies yet?”. I can already hear it and believe me, I’ve heard that question more times than I can count. But somehow, despite being a huge fan of epic adventures, Lord of the Rings managed to slip through the cracks. I really have no idea how I missed it honestly.
But here we are, and my wife is ready to introduce me to yet another legendary world. I’m more than excited, to say the least and I hope it lives up to these expectations I’ve built. If Harry Potter was any indication of how much I’m going to love this, I’m all in. I’ve heard so many great things about the epic battles, the deep lore, and the beautiful storytelling that I can’t wait to finally experience Middle-Earth.
I’m sure I’m going to get a lot of “Wait, you haven’t seen Lord of the Rings?!” from people, but hey, better late than never, right?
Anticipation and Expectations
Holding my son on the couch, both of us relaxed and sharing a peaceful moment.
Going into The Lord of the Rings, I have a few expectations. From what I’ve gathered over the years, it’s going to be packed with intense moments, some epic and beautiful world-building, and a lore so rich, I don’t know what to expect. I can’t help but think of how Harry Potter so quickly pulled me in, and I wonder if Lord of the Rings will do the same—perhaps even more so, given its legendary status in the world of fantasy.
I’m ready to dive headfirst into Middle-Earth, meet Frodo, Gandalf, and the rest of the crew, and lose myself in another adventure. My wife’s track record introducing me to incredible stories is pretty solid so far, so I’m fairly confident this will be pretty good. I’ll probably be picking favorites and getting into debates about who’s better soon enough.
Wrapping It Up
A happy Nerdy New Dad holding his son on the couch, with Lord of the Rings playing on the TV in the background, combining family time with a love for fantasy.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past year, it’s that the world of fantasy has so much more to offer than I ever imagined. Whether it’s flying broomsticks or epic battles for the fate of a kingdom, these stories are filled with heart, wonder, and adventure. And, thanks to my wife, I’ve gotten to experience it and really love it. As well as the amazing time we get to spend enjoying it together and the bonds we get to create in doing so.
As we dive into The Lord of the Rings, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and curiosity. I’m about to explore yet another beloved fantasy world, and I’m looking forward to the journey. If Harry Potter has taught me anything, it’s that sometimes, the best adventures are the ones you never saw coming.
My Thoughts on The Lord of the Rings
We finally finished watching The Lord of the Rings, and I have to say, it was quite the journey. For a while, I couldn’t understand why everyone seemed so captivated by these films. But after watching them, I get it—the scale, the storytelling, the world-building—it’s all there, and it’s incredibly immersive. That said, I did have a few mixed feelings by the time we got to the end.
My wife and our son enjoying a cozy family night with The Lord of the Rings playing in the background.
First off, Frodo. I can’t deny his character’s significance or the weight he carries, but man, I was so frustrated with him at times! Throughout much of the trilogy, I found myself growing increasingly impatient with his actions. Of course, I understand it was caused by the Ring—the corruption, the power it held over him—but even then, it was hard not to feel irritated by his decisions. However, looking back, I can appreciate the complexity of his character. The ring was an enormous burden, and Frodo’s struggle with it made the journey feel real. In a way, it showed the cost of power and how even the purest of souls can be corrupted.
On the other hand, Sam. If there was one character who completely won me over, it was Samwise Gamgee. His unwavering loyalty and determination were just inspiring. No matter how dire things became or how much Frodo pushed him away, Sam never gave up on his friend. I felt that his courage and heart were truly at the core of the story. For me, Sam’s role as the true hero of the tale was undeniable. He carried Frodo—literally and figuratively—when it mattered most, and his resilience is what made their victory possible. I found myself rooting for Sam more than anyone else, and I think that’s a testament to how much depth his character had.
Now, for the ending. While I appreciated the sense of closure for many of the characters, I have to admit that it left me feeling a bit incomplete. I think it’s because after investing so much time into these characters and their journey, I wanted something more. Don’t get me wrong—the final scenes were pretty beautiful, but there was something about it that didn’t fully satisfy me. Perhaps it’s because Frodo’s departure felt a bit too sudden for me, or maybe I just wasn’t ready for the story to end. Either way, I walked away from it feeling a little bummed, like there was unfinished business or something more that could’ve been explored.
That being said, The Lord of the Rings was still an amazing experience. The world of Middle-Earth, the battles, the friendships, and the underlying themes of hope and sacrifice all resonated with me. Even though I had some frustrations along the way, I can understand why these films are so loved and why they’ve stood the test of time. Watching this with my wife made the experience even more special, and I’m grateful that she introduced me to another world of epic fantasy.
Did you like the Lord of The Rings? What was your favorite part?
