Imagine you could snap your fingers and everything was back to how it was. Traveling and wandering freely without fear of safety or retribution. Imagine your bank account is comfortable; not unlimited cash flows, but freedom to dream.
Now, close your eyes and let your mind wander.
What are the ‘Top 5’ things you would do?
I did this myself last night and thought it would be difficult to come up with a list… but then realized it wasn’t hard at all. I’ve been subconsciously dreaming of these activities this whole time. So, I thought it would be a fun write up to document what my “quarantined” brain wishes I could snap my fingers and run off to do.
Trip To California
Dude. I don’t even know where I would start there.
- I have family there in all different forms so if I could get them all in a line for an afternoon of hugs would probably be the best way to kick it off. Squeezes and loud noises! Which honestly won’t last the whole afternoon, so on to the next part of the dream…
- Beach side bar and restaurant. With my sweetheart, family, and friends. Laughing, eating SO MUCH seafood, watching the water and people (people watching is the best), fruity cocktails, and laughing some more. These kind of afternoons are some of my favorite memories, even with just me and him.
- DISNEYLAND. This trip is so overdue it’s not even funny. First off, neither of us have been… ever. So, there’s that. Not to mention, my older sister and I love a good themed adventure and seeing as she lives within a decent driving distance to the Magic Kingdom, she has been brushing up on becoming the best tour guide/sister date ever and I can’t wait for that freaking trip. Not to mention – other sibs have since moved down to help join the adventure, they have been spoiling me and helping me stockpile gift certificates for epic date nights, and have I mentioned we have never been? I used to work with an amazing woman that learned everything she knew in the tourism industry from spending years and years working there. She then took a chance on me as “a punk kid” and taught me everything I know. I miss her every day and it would be something extra special to finally feel that connection with her in the most “magical” place.
Epic Camping Trip
I’m a planner to the core. I obsess way too much and put way too much thought into just pitching a tent and getting drunk in the woods – but I LOVE a good camping adventure with your closest people.
It is a sick satisfaction for me to spend 6 hours in the kitchen chopping and marinating meals so, not only does my cooler look like an impressive game of Tetris, but by the time dinner rolls around, it can be a seamless assembly line. Call me crazy, but that’s worth the effort but the time the bonfire lights and the drinks start pouring.
I want to be out of range of technology and not know what time of day it is. Or how late at night is after the 100th campfire story. I want to use the river to keep our kegs cold and our bare feet refreshed. I want the dogs to run free, play, and curl up from being so tired after a full day of adventuring. I want to pretend like I am going to hike and end up making a Bloody Mary at 10:00am instead. I want the trees. I want the refresh.
Kayaking At The Cabin
The family of one of our closest buddies has a beautiful, hand-built, dream worthy cabin overlooking the water with their own quiet inlet and marina. Their hospitality is unmatched and even one night there makes you forget about the rest of the world, nonetheless any problems you may have in it. Days spent kayaking around the island; hearing families laughing and making memories, taking in the breathtaking sites, cruising in the kayak I inherited from my Momma at my own pace and just feeling the sun shining on my skin. Followed by buckets of fresh oysters, best bartenders around, and even more campfires filled with love and laughter. One night can fix your soul – but if we got the chance to just take off for a week, turn off our phones, and hide out in their oasis? Definitely worth the ‘Top 5’ in my book.
Engagement Parties
Back before we got engaged, I said I would never do an Engagement Party. Now I don’t know who I was trying to convince more, him or myself, but no matter the difference, it wasn’t part of the plan.
I’m trying to new thing of not dwelling on growth or changes in my mentalities. I used to fight pretty hard against it, but realized how hard it can be to heal from the traumas of your past if you don’t let yourself evolve. Basically, that’s a long winded way of saying I have forgiven myself and given in to my desire to want an engagement party.
I’d love to have one here in Seattle, it’s home and where our love has lived. I love putting on events and have spent several years working in the service industry so I know of several connections and so many possibilities for fun locations that require so little work from me. Just a few touches to bring our theme together, (like I said, I like planning events so you can’t blame me there) and have a simple evening filled with laughter and love to kick off this next year of adventures leading up to our big day.
I would also love to have one in the Tri Cities. Now, if you know me… or live in the city… this may be an odd sounding decision. But truly, there is a big part of our heart over on the East side of the state. Not only is there a family we race with who has truly become a second part of our family that we love our getaways with, but also I have a big part of my actual family that lives in the same neighborhoods, who we have been reconnecting with through adulthood. Coincidentally, it’s also where I was born. It would so fun to have a gathering over there to not only not have everyone travels hours and hours just for a party, but also a chance for all of our worlds to meet! Things are way too hectic on race days to try and get everyone together, hammer out introductions, and then try to get some actual quality time together. What a beautiful chance to bring it all together in the celebration of love!
So basically, I want to party and feel pretty.
Unlimited Aerial Yoga Classes
This is one I’ve been dreaming of for a long time. Living paycheck to paycheck, it’s been hard to take the plunge. But the whole point of this exercise is to dream of things that make your soul happy and your heart excited.
I grew up in gymnastics and continue to keep it in my life as coach in my adult years. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to be flexible and yeah, it can be a fun party trick to actually be able to do a cartwheel; but it can also be a curse. Trying to actually feel a stretch or offer some relief to your body can be challenging. I know, I know, it could be worse… but hey – my struggles are valid, too!
If you’ve never heard of Aerial Yoga, it’s basically a Yoga class that involves cloth/fabric or bungees suspended from the ceiling to help add an extra level of ‘stretch’ to your practice. At least I think… I have never actually gone, just dreamed through the websites.
So, that is where this comes into the ‘Top 5’. To stop flip-flopping with spending the same amount that I do on my “Sleep Amazon-ing”, bite the bullet, and have unlimited access. No worries amount having to be there to make sure I get this week’s monies worth or feeling guilty about paying to show up for the 3rd time that day. I want to take my body back from the pain and restriction of my cooped up muscles. I want stretch, hang, and feel free. I’ll never be a Cirque Du Soleil acrobat, but I can close my eyes and pretend.
I may not be able to snap my fingers and change our reality, but I’ll tell you what – I’ve spent the last two days thinking on this and dwelling on these dreams and have the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face. And that sure is something these days, isn’t it?
Give it a try. I promise, you won’t regret it. Your dreams are worth dreaming!
The Northwest Mad Hatter 
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