Recently an article floated its way around the internet claiming living in a van is the new American Dream. I couldn’t decide whether I agree or not. But I think I know now.

This is the story of two very different versions of the American Dream crossing paths in a matter of hours.

On the morning of Super Bowl Sunday we sat in the van lamenting the fact that while 30% of Americans would be eating guac and watching the game, we’d be taking turns laying on the floor to stay cool. Levi unsuccessfully attempted to jimmy-rig the van TV, but it prefers to be more of a decorative TV than a functioning one. So we planned a long walk in the afternoon to try to curb the FOMO.

Luckily we had church to help break up the day. We found a nearby service starting at 11:30 (in the same neighborhood its residents asked the cops kick us out of- which only makes this story more awesome). So we go to church and by evading questions about where we live, we almost make it out without having to go into the lengthy details of our homelessness.

On our way out of the building, a guy asking pointed questions left us no choice but to explain we actually live in the van parked over there. Another guy walking by overheard us and unabashedly asks, “So where do you use the restroom and shower?” We started going through the typical FAQs when a third gentleman walking by hears us and asks,

GUY: You are living in a van? You need a place to stay?  

ME: (reassuringly): Oh no. Thank you, no. We are totally fine.

GUY: Are you sure? I have an empty place.

ME (a little embarrassed): No really, we just do it for the adventure. We are fine.

GUY: I have an empty house on the beach. No one is there.

ME (confused): You have an empty house on the beach?

GUY (impatient): It’s a long story. Do you want to stay there or not?

He is momentarily distracted by someone. He tells us to stay right there.

The other two guys still standing with us say, “I would definitely take him up on it if I were you.”

We laugh. Another guy (a very successful advertising executive) steps closer, “Seriously, don’t pass this up.”

We nod.

Next thing we know we are in our dusty van following this man in his new Range Rover. Down the road we go. The ocean gets closer and the homes get bigger. We are giddy with anticipation and confusion.  (Please excuse the hyena laughter. I apparently have been in that van too long.)

Opening the gate to his home (some homes are protected by giant gates, others by simple car alarms– ours doesn’t have either), he begins describing the home’s architect and the inspiration behind the design….It’s the same architect that’s building their new home down the street. And the one in Santa Barbara. Makes sense. We get a quick walking tour of a beautiful home literally on the ocean’s cliff edge in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Southern California. Is this real life? He briefly stops at his large family photos (matching cashmere sweaters) and a couple of painted self-portraits.

GUY: I called my wife on the way to make sure she was ok with you staying here. It’s midnight there– she’s in Europe skiing…

ME: Naturally.

GUY: She asked how I could vouch for you two and I told her you stayed all three hours of church and that was enough for her…

Weeeellll ok!! I mean we always do, but it doesn’t hurt that we also had no where else to go. We keep this to ourselves and smile.

He flips on the football game for us, sets out some towels, writes down the wifi password and starts to head out the door…

GUY: Please leave the key right here for the maid. And don’t make your bed so she knows to wash your sheets– Please don’t try to do it yourself, no one lives here, it will give her something to do. Ok make yourself at home. Thank you for being our guests, uh….what are your names?

Really just a small detail at this point. I ask him if we should call him “gov’nah?”

He starts to get in his car as we wave him goodbye.

GUY: There’s a chance I may come back if I can’t catch a flight to Mexico tonight….

Us:  You’re welcome any time!

And we were left to ourselves thanks to this modern-day Good Samaritan.

We made ourselves right at home, watched the sunset over the ocean and enjoyed the big game on the big tv– we were living large. Did we miss the lack of wifi, running water, fridge, toilets or privacy? Of course not!

We got a taste of the good life people. The original American Dream. The one we are now toootally open to living once we finish experiencing this alternative American Dream. Maybe we don’t have to choose just one life. (Or maybe we get to choose, because it’s America damn it). But maybe dreaming big means dreaming more than one dream.

In that case, count us in America.