Issue #9: You Wanna Pizza Burger Me?

Welcome back!

The First Rule of H.M.C - Don’t Talk About the H.M.C

What’s on Today’s Agenda:

🍔 Damn, That Looks Good

👕 Mellow Yellow

🎧 New Song

👓 When Their Parents Start Fading

🤣  Dad Joke

👀 Must Watch Movie

💪 He-Man Life Lessons

Damn, That Looks Good

@devourpower

The one and only “YOU WANNA PIZZA ME” BURGER from @Tony Beef in Galloway, NJ! 🍔🍕🔥😋 Who’s hungry?? #DEVOURPOWER #fyp #foryou #foodtiktok #b... See more

Your Wardrobe: They Call It Mellow Yellow

Mellow Yellow: The 2025 Dad-Approved Glow-Up

Spring 2025 isn’t shy about sunshine, especially in your closet. The color gods aligned for once: men's and women’s fashion are leaning into mellow yellow. Not highlighter-bright or banana-silly—think soft, buttery tones that vibe like Saturday morning pancakes and fresh-cut daffodils. This season, that warmth shows up in pieces you’ll wear: a laid-back Oxford from Polo Ralph Lauren, a sleek executive shirt from Mfpen, and even Carter Young’s elevated jeans. Whether it’s Todd Snyder’s discounted cashmere or something that makes your kid say “you look less tired,” yellow’s the move.

You don’t have to dress like a ray of sunshine—but a hint of it? That’s solid dad energy. Match the season. Meet the moment. Maybe even smile about it.

🟡 Bonus: Pairs well with beers on the porch and that one hoodie you refuse to throw away.

Listen To This Song 💿

When Their Parents Start Fading: How to Be the Man They Need Without Pretending to Fix It 👓

There’s a moment in every long-term relationship where the emotional tides shift. Your partner, the one who’s been your co-pilot through diapers, school drop-offs, burnt dinners, and 2 a.m. “Did you lock the door?” debates—suddenly finds themselves face to face with something heavier than either of them can carry alone: their parent is fading. And not in the vague, future-worry kind of way. We’re talking real sickness. Hospice on the table. End-of-life decisions. That chapter.

So, how do you show up for them?

You can’t fix it. But you can stand in it with them. Here’s how.

1. Make Space, Not Solutions

This is rule #1. Your spouse doesn’t need you to wrap their pain in duct tape and “be strong.” They need room to feel, to cry, to be pissed, and to not say anything at all.

Listen more than you talk. Hold the silence. Let it be awkward if it has to. This isn’t the time for pep talks or silver linings. If they need to say, “I hate watching my dad become a shell of who he was,” let them. No spiritual bypassing. No “at least” statements. Just be the rock they can lean on without trying to carry them away from the storm.

2. Handle the Basics

When someone is losing a parent, their bandwidth for everyday life evaporates. You know what helps? Not having to think about dinner, paying bills, or what day the trash goes out.

Be the logistics guy. Handle bedtime for the kids. Refill the gas tank. Order the groceries. Cancel the dental cleaning. These aren’t “small things”, the scaffolding that lets your spouse fall apart without the whole house collapsing.

It’s not about heroics. It’s about being consistent and grounded when everything else is crumbling.

3. Ask, Don’t Assume

Grief is weird. One day, they might want you beside them 24/7. Next, they want space to scream into a pillow or stare at the wall alone. Don’t assume what they need—ask.

“Do you want me there when you visit your mom?”

“Would it help if I came to the hospital or stayed with the kids?”

“What’s one thing I could take off your plate this week?”

Even saying “I don’t know what to say, but I’m here and I love you” is a better move than winging it and getting it wrong.

4. Stay Steady with the In-Laws

This one’s tricky. Their family might be messy, dramatic, or not your favorite crew. But this isn’t about you.

Show respect. Be helpful. Bite your tongue if needed. If your partner is juggling medical decisions, guilt, and sibling tension, they last need your two cents about how their brother’s a selfish jerk even if he is.

Be the calm one. Offer to drive, to pick up prescriptions, to make phone calls. Or be the guy who shows up with coffee and doesn’t make it about himself.

5. Hold Your Own Grief Too

Don’t ignore what’s stirring in you. Watching someone you love suffer is brutal. And if you were close to their parent, you’re losing someone too. But here’s the deal: don’t offload your grief onto your spouse. They’re not your therapist. They’re barely holding it together as it is.

Find your outlet, a trusted friend, a journal, a walk with the dog, and your favorite sad playlist. Process your stuff so you can be present for theirs.

It’s not about swallowing your emotions, it’s about not making them carry yours and their own.

6. Take the Long View

Death doesn’t happen in a weekend. It drags. It teases hope and then yanks it away. It brings out old wounds, ancient family roles, and childhood guilt. Your spouse might regress. They might snap at you. They might shut down.

Stay patient.

This season will change them. It might change you, too. Let it. Let it deepen your bond. Let it sharpen your sense of what matters. And when it’s all over, when the funeral ends and the casseroles stop coming, don’t vanish. That’s when they’ll need you most.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Say the Quiet Stuff Out Loud

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is name the truth neither of you wants to admit.

“This is awful. I hate seeing you in this much pain.”

“I don’t know what to do, but I’m not going anywhere.”

“This is one of the hardest things you’ll ever go through, and I’m honored to be beside you.”

You don’t need perfect words. You need honest ones.

Final Thought

Being a good partner when death enters the room isn’t about stoicism or grand gestures. It’s about presence, quiet strength, stepping up in the mundane moments, and saying, “I’ve got you,” without needing to be the hero.

You can’t stop the pain. But you can be the guy who refuses to run from it. And that? That’s love with its sleeves rolled up.

Fist bump if you’re in.

Try Out This Dad Joke At Work

Why did He-Man stop dating She-Ra?

Because every time things got serious, Skeletor ghosted him. 💀

(But don’t worry—he had the power to bounce back.)

👀 Must-Watch TV Show

“Stick” on Apple TV+: A Heartfelt Swing at Redemption and Found Family

Apple TV+’s latest original series, Stick, is a charming blend of sports drama and heartfelt comedy that delves into themes of redemption, mentorship, and the complexities of human connection. Premiering on June 4, 2025, the show introduces viewers to Pryce “Stick” Cahill, portrayed by Owen Wilson, a former golf prodigy whose career was derailed by a public meltdown. Now, years later, Pryce seeks a second chance by mentoring Santiago “Santi” Wheeler, a 17-year-old golf phenom played by Peter Dager.

The narrative unfolds as Pryce convinces Santi’s mother, Elena (Mariana Treviño), to allow him to coach her son, offering $100,000 for the opportunity. Accompanied by Pryce’s old friend and caddy, Mitts (Marc Maron), the trio embarks on a journey through golf tournaments, aiming for the U.S. Amateur Championship. Along the way, they are joined by Zero (Lilli Kay), a bartender with a sharp wit and a disdain for arrogant golfers, adding depth and humor to the ensemble.

Created by Jason Keller, known for Ford v Ferrari, Stick resonates with fans of Ted Lasso, offering a mix of underdog sports narrative and emotional storytelling. The series features cameo appearances by real-life golf personalities, including Collin Morikawa and Jim Nantz, enhancing its authenticity.

With its blend of humor, heart, and sportsmanship, Stick offers a compelling look at the power of second chances and the families we choose. New episodes are released every Wednesday, culminating in a 10-episode season finale on July 23, 2025.

For those seeking a feel-good series that balances laughs with life lessons, Stick is a worthy addition to your watchlist.

Never Forget: He-Man Life Lessons