Hello there. This is Raehan, guest-posting for the big MK on her big day. She must be waking up right now in her dream home. Ahhhh…no need to worry about unpacking yet, just leave it all in the garage and unpack slowly. Take out what you need and then evaluate the rest…maybe some can be sent to goodwill. I really hate clutter. Can you tell?

We moved into our home two years ago from a condo. We actually really loved the condo, where we were visited by deer and wild turkey, but with a toddler, newborn and only two bedrooms, it was time to get in a place where we could actually get some sleep. Besides, housing prices were rising higher than our income conceivably could, so it was time to take the leap.

MommaK has me thinking about what a dream house means. I do love our house, and over the two years it has evolved from being a house to being a home. It is a great house for small kids. I don’t dream about a dream house. Does that mean I’m in my dream house? To me dream house means a forever house and I’m not sure that we’ll ever be in a forever house. Maybe. I sometimes like to think that in our old age, Mr. Raehan and I will sell everything and move to one of our old haunts, perhaps New York City, perhaps somewhere in Scotland, or maybe have an entirely new adventure.

So no dream home, but dreams about the future. Many of them are pure flights of fancy. For example, I’d like to live on some very large generic ranch or farm somewhere and have my sisters and mother living on the property, with houses of their own. Then, all my friends from around the world would either also have houses on my land, or take turns in a few guest homes. Where should we all settle? I used to be an easterner to my core, but after settling in the west, the west has slowly settled me. Perhaps somewhere in the Pacific Northwest? Who knows? Heck I’ll probably end up in the midwest, where my “people” are from. I’m from good old Minnesota-German-Catholic stock, with a bit of German Lutheranism thrown in for diversity.

I have a very rich fantasty life. Take MommaK, for instance. We have a plan to live next door to each other and drink lattes together. I haven’t told her, but the dream is evolving. Now she has her dream house, and I’ve grown quite attached to the west coast, and lattes make me fat (I’m not real fond of the non-fat variety), so I have a new plan. In the winter, she will sit by her fire in her dream house hosting friends and her fun-loving matriarchal family. I’ll stop by whenever I’m on the east coast visiting relatives.

THEN, every summer for a month, MommaK will move her family to Manhattan while she stars in a Shakespeare In The Park production at the Delacourte Theater in Central Park. I went to many of these productions in my youth. You spend the afternoon saving your spot on line with a picnic blanket. People selling things like fresh Sangria and sandwiches come by and try to sell some to you. We usually either packed a lunch or had someone run to Zabars for food. Then you get your tickets and have an hour to roam around. Finally, the sun goes down the the play starts.

Did you know that I call MommaK, Juliet? I’m sure it annoys her to no end. I call her that because I envision her as a Shakespearean actress. A summer, outdoor theater actress, to be exact, wearing flip-flops under her costume. I’d love to see her play Katherine in the Taming of the Shrew. I love Katherine and think MK would play it well. I know MommaK calls herself a secret bitch but hey, aren’t we all? Men too, but there’s just not a word for it. In my house, we just call it grumpy and try get the hell out of it’s way. So, no, not a bitch. I’ve met her. No way.

Let’s continue with my fantasy. MommaK and family are in Manhattan a month out of every summer while she does Shakespeare. That same month, every year, I will also spend a month in Manhattan with my family, renting a place near her. Our husbands will be able to take the entire months off (Hallelujah!!) and four or five days a week, the MommaK entourage (my family included) will take turns warming the picnic blanket in the line outside the Delacourte theater, while the others explore the city. It will be heaven. On her days off, we’ll hit the town together and also take turns babysitting each other’s kids so the couples can get some time off.

Now, you can either join us in New York each summer, or create your own fantasy. If you’re joining us in New York, what will you be doing? If not, tell us what your fantasy is. Share a dream.

When you’re done, please sit down. The play is starting. Kiss me, MommaKate!

You know, “Kiss Me, Kate.” The musical? No?

I do love my warm, smart, emotionally intelligent, creative, strong, and loyal Juliet. Or should I call her Kate?

Raehan

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