Never, Never Land

Doug and I were idealistic when we were newly married.

We swore we would never live in a ranch house.

Never.

The first home we owned.  Built just for us.

And certainly never, never a split level.

The second home we owned.  Customized just for us. 

We would always live in the city, either in a modern loft,
or charming cottage.
We would always have fresh flowers on the table. 

We would always hold hands.

But that was before we knew about choosing good schools.
And budgets.
And sometimes feeling grumpy.

Anne Tyler, in her novel Saint Maybe, wrote:

"When did you become ordinary?"

When I first read this line, which a mother said to her adult daughter, I was full of fear.
What if I became ordinary?

But now I know, being ordinary is not a curse.
Trying too hard to avoid being cliche,
and possibly missing your happiness,
that's the real curse.

Take it from the happy girl who was never, never going to get married
while attending Brigham Young University.
And who lives in the 'burbs.
And who drives a mini-van.

Life on a suburban cul-de-sac

When were you caught in never, never land?