Growing up, I wanted what I thought was the American dream….
A nice house with a two car garage, and a big back yard for all the neighborhood barbeques. I wanted to marry a handsome doctor (with a nice salary) who had nice hair. He would need to be good looking of course so that our standard 2.5 children would be adorable.
I even wanted a golden retriever because after all, that is the ideal American family pet.
I wanted to decorate my home with anything and everything pottery barn had to offer, and I wanted my husband to refer to me as a gourmet chef. (or “my lady goddess” – whichever) I wanted my kids to play soccer and dance ballet, I was even willing to drive a mini-van.
I wanted to vacation to “the cabin” where we could fish, hike, and swim in a germ infested lake for an entire weekend!
A nice house with a two car garage, and a big back yard for all the neighborhood barbeques. I wanted to marry a handsome doctor (with a nice salary) who had nice hair. He would need to be good looking of course so that our standard 2.5 children would be adorable.
I even wanted a golden retriever because after all, that is the ideal American family pet.
I wanted to decorate my home with anything and everything pottery barn had to offer, and I wanted my husband to refer to me as a gourmet chef. (or “my lady goddess” – whichever) I wanted my kids to play soccer and dance ballet, I was even willing to drive a mini-van.
I wanted to vacation to “the cabin” where we could fish, hike, and swim in a germ infested lake for an entire weekend!
It did not turn out this way…
I live in a nice house. Although, some of my windows don’t close, and none of them are sealed. We are lacking a garage, (not to mention a car) and we live on a second story, and therefore do not have a back yard. I married a handsome missionary (makes slightly less than a doctor’s salary) with nice hair. Let’s face it, the current child and all children to come are the epitome of adorable!
We skipped the golden retriever, but are often the owners of rats. (They don’t last too long)
My home is decorated with whatever can fit into a suitcase and I own nothing from pottery barn. My husband does not refer to me as a gourmet chef, but that is because he cooks better than I do. I got lucky, and I am certain my children will be playing soccer, and with the help of a friend they will be able to dance ballet should they choose.
I now (generally) vacation to my parent’s house. It isn’t glamorous, (though my mother will argue otherwise) but at least we stay connected.
I live in a nice house. Although, some of my windows don’t close, and none of them are sealed. We are lacking a garage, (not to mention a car) and we live on a second story, and therefore do not have a back yard. I married a handsome missionary (makes slightly less than a doctor’s salary) with nice hair. Let’s face it, the current child and all children to come are the epitome of adorable!
We skipped the golden retriever, but are often the owners of rats. (They don’t last too long)
My home is decorated with whatever can fit into a suitcase and I own nothing from pottery barn. My husband does not refer to me as a gourmet chef, but that is because he cooks better than I do. I got lucky, and I am certain my children will be playing soccer, and with the help of a friend they will be able to dance ballet should they choose.
I now (generally) vacation to my parent’s house. It isn’t glamorous, (though my mother will argue otherwise) but at least we stay connected.
I’ve begun to realize that I am SO content where I am. I
love my life, and I love my home! They truly are a dream come true. Just not my
“American dream”. I’m okay with not having a big screen TV and not having
McDonalds right around the corner. (Although it is challenging at the times I
just need a big mac)
I feel like I have traded up. I have received so much more than the American dream, and been blessed much more than I ever imagined.
I feel that if I had gotten what I wanted, I would be living a mediocre life. (**disclaimer – If you’re living the American dream, I don’t think you have a mediocre life. I just think mine would have been)
It’s okay to want certain things for yourself. But maybe, what I really wanted, was to get married to someone who will treat me well and who I can respect, to build an independent life/family together and influence the next generation. To do something that matters.
I’m not living the “American dream”, but it’s so much better.
I feel like I have traded up. I have received so much more than the American dream, and been blessed much more than I ever imagined.
I feel that if I had gotten what I wanted, I would be living a mediocre life. (**disclaimer – If you’re living the American dream, I don’t think you have a mediocre life. I just think mine would have been)
It’s okay to want certain things for yourself. But maybe, what I really wanted, was to get married to someone who will treat me well and who I can respect, to build an independent life/family together and influence the next generation. To do something that matters.
I’m not living the “American dream”, but it’s so much better.
