As we loaded up to pick up the RV, excitement and nerves were buzzing in the air. Driving there, we felt a mix of anticipation and a whole lot of uncertainty. When we arrived and saw the RV that would soon be our home, emotions hit us hard. It was a reality check. Downsizing our entire life into this tiny space wasn’t just a dream anymore—it was real. Holy shit. How the heck were we even going to do this?!
We went through the inspection process, and honestly, it was overwhelming. We had little to no experience with RV maintenance, driving something this big, or even figuring out how to use it. We were in for a treat.
After the inspection, we headed into the store to stock up on essentials. Sitting there, wide-eyed and clueless, we were grateful for all those RV TikTok videos that became our lifeline. Advice from road-tested families helped us piece together a list of must-haves, even though we still felt wildly underqualified.
Somehow, we made it work. We teamed up, made decisions, and finally pulled out of the parking lot. Kurtis was gripping the wheel so tight, I’m surprised it didn’t leave a dent. We were terrified, barely able to focus on anything but the journey back to our apartment to load up our life.
As Kurtis white-knuckled the entire drive home, our emotions were all over the place. Fear, stress, excitement—it was all tangled together. We tried to stay present, taking it one mile at a time, reminding ourselves to give each other and ourselves a little extra grace.
When we made it back, family came to see the RV. Watching them leave, another wave of stress crashed in. Not only did we have to figure out how to move our entire life into this space, but we also had to clean out our apartment and be out within 24 hours.
It was a whirlwind of emotions—equal parts terrifying and thrilling. Our new adventure had officially begun, whether we felt ready or not.
We packed all we could, and at 11:40 PM, we finally hit the road toward our first destination. Before officially taking off, there were a few last-minute things we wanted to take care of, so we decided to spend two nights at a nearby RV campground.
Our first night in the RV felt strange—foreign and, honestly, a little uncomfortable. The new sounds, the “settling in” smell, and the overall unfamiliarity left all of us, including the boys, wide awake for most of the night.
The next morning, we woke up before the sun, desperately trying to catch any extra sleep we could. But there was no time to linger. Kurtis couldn’t get the Starlink to work, so he and the boys headed off to my parents’ house for a busy workday. I stayed behind to tackle the chaos inside the RV.
Unpacking and finding places for everything felt overwhelming. The mess stared back at me like, Good luck! But I chipped away at it, bit by bit. Eventually, it started to come together. We did it. We made it work. Thank goodness.
Once Kurtis wrapped up work, it was time to head to Idaho—our first destination. My parents followed behind us for support, which was such a relief. We’d decided to spend the summer close to family and friends, giving ourselves time and space to settle into this new lifestyle without feeling completely isolated.
When we finally made it to the homestead where we’d be staying for the summer, relief washed over us. But as we pulled into the driveway, things took an unexpected turn—literally. Kurtis took a sharp turn, overcorrected, and suddenly, we found ourselves in the ditch. No more than 25 feet from our final destination.
The back tires of the RV hadn’t cleared the canal, and there we sat, frozen in shock. One moment, we were celebrating making it to Idaho, and the next, we were staring at the back corner of our RV hanging over a canal.
We called roadside assistance, but it was a dead end—help wasn’t coming anytime soon. The panic started to set in when, out of nowhere, the neighbors came.
Eight men showed up almost instantly, ready to help. With a boom crane and a skid steer, they worked together to pull the RV back onto solid ground and into its final parking spot.
It was one of the most humbling moments of our lives. Watching these strangers rally around us so quickly and selflessly brought us to tears. As fast as they came, they left—refusing to take anything from us in return.
We sat there, stunned by what had just happened. Honored. Humbled. Grateful.
It wasn’t the way we imagined kicking off this adventure, but like everything else, we knew we’d figure it out—one challenge at a time. This might have been the start of our journey, but it already taught us so much about the kindness of others and the power of community.
“As we embark on this new adventure of ultimate freedom, I am reminded of the temporary nature of this human existence.
There have been moments of pure overwhelm, tangled with magical moments of pure bliss. Things break, emotions heighten, energy shifts, and stability is lost and found. Such is the wild game of life.
We are not promised tomorrow. We never know if this meal, this sunset, or this tender kiss will be our last. In a world full of loss and confusion, answers are found. We’ve been called to listen, slow down, and be fully present—to embrace the moment as it is.
Freedom begins within the mind, adventure grows in the spirit’s glow, courage flows in its ebb and tide, and stability is anchored in the earth below.
As we move forward, there is grace in the chaos and gratitude in the lessons. Each day and night becomes an opportunity to experience this life so fully, to slow our pace and feel the richness of what surrounds us.
This journey is not just about the open road; it’s about finding ourselves deeper in the process. It’s about how our love grows and intertwines as we navigate life’s uncertainties together.
This adventure isn’t perfect, but it’s ours—and we are here for every messy, beautiful moment of it.”
-The Dairy of a Medicine Fairy
Summary: Taking the leap into full-time RV living is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. From the moment we picked up our home on wheels, we felt the weight of downsizing our lives and the thrill of a new adventure. This post marks the beginning of our soulful journey—a story of growth, discovery, and embracing the unknown. Follow along as we navigate the highs, the challenges, and everything in between, sharing lessons, laughter, and a bit of magic along the way.