Written By: Holly Frush
I know you are skeptical. Honestly, that is an understatement. You are full-on resistant to this whole RV idea. You think your husband is going through a phase, a passing obsession watching all those Youtube videos, reading every blog, researching brands, specs, hookups, and forums like it is his full time job. So, when he asked you to check out a couple of RV’s, you begrudgingly told him you would look at two. That was your limit.
The second RV you toured was a Pleasure-Way. It was beautiful, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. The finishes made your interior designer heart flutter just a little. The bathroom was big, the fridge was even bigger, and the attention to detail was undeniable. Yet, you could not say yes, you were not ready. You had no idea what you were stepping into. You laughed, waved your husband off, and said, “Do whatever you want.” He later had to drive two hours back to you, so you could sign the papers from home. You were still mentally circling the idea.
Looking back, you had no idea how much that moment would change your life.
Two years ago, you sat at home scrolling past other people’s adventures, wondering if life was ever going to feel bigger than your fears. You were scared. You were stuck. You had anxiety and agoraphobia, sitting in the passenger seat of your life with your brain repeatedly telling you to stay in your comfort zone.
You had no idea what was coming. I know the “what if’s” were loud. Two years later, I wish that I could have sat next to you in that dealership and whisper, “You are about to surprise yourself.”
You said yes to a van you had never driven. You named her Princess. You trusted her. And that small leap suddenly became a wide open road. You did not know it then, but you were about to put some miles on your soul and what a beautiful journey it would be.
You had no idea then….
- That one night in West Texas, you would stand beneath a dark sky so vast, it would make your world feel small and your universe infinite and the Milky Way would spill across the sky and stop you in your tracks.
- That you would sit barefoot in the cool gypsum at White Sands National Park, watching the sky blush pink and feel more present than you had in years.
- That one cold morning you would stand at the edge of the Grand Canyon at sunrise realizing it would not just be a place on a postcard, but a sacred, soul-shifting reality in front of your eyes.
- That you would make it twice to California, roam through the clay-coloured desert mountains in New Mexico and Arizona, and do it all without ever boarding a plane.
- That you would park your van among big luxury coaches at RV resorts, and valet her at 5-star hotels and in both places feel completely like a princess.
- That one day you would stream Netflix on the road and became an expert at packing a fridge like a Tetris queen. You did not know you would actually understand what amps and volts are, and care about them. Or that making a bed would leave you breathless, and not in a romantic way.
- That you would find joy in the smallest, simplest moments. Morning coffee with a view, experiencing a solar eclipse in real life, and meeting every single dog along the way! Interestingly, the real surprise would be more time with the people you love. You will meet your friends and family on the road, celebrate milestones together, even introduce them to RV life! Travel would become a connection by making memories that would never have happened had you just stayed home.
Two years ago, you had no idea yet how this van would expand your world. You thought it might be uncomfortable, impractical, maybe even claustrophobic, but instead, it will give you freedom and offer tools to manage your anxiety. You will feel peace on the road, not fear. It will show you beauty, simplicity, and unexpected joy in motion. The road will be a healing place to teach you how to breathe again and you will feel so proud of yourself.
Thank you for saying “Yes” to the Pleasure-Way van. Thank you for taking that first brave step. Happy VANiversary!