Brianna, Kieth, Bucket & Dagwood

When I was in high school I knew I didn't want what the people around me wanted. I knew there was something more than the typical work week out there for me. I wanted to see this world without a two week vacation restriction. Though, I admire all of these hardworking men and women, I just cannot imagine looking out the window each morning and seeing a city skyline staring back at me through smudged class and clouds of smoke. Throughout my high school career, it seemed as if I was the only one thinking this–– the only one who craved more. I wanted a career that allowed me to feel damp mud beneath my feet, a career where dirty hair was not only acceptable but, inevitable. I wanted something that made my body quiver with a sense of freedom. It was not until my freshman year of college that I discovered, I am not alone.

During my first year at High Point University, I stumbled across an Instagram page followed by several blog entries that changed my life forever. I had stumbled across Brianna and Kieth Madia accompanied by their dogs, Bucket and Dagwood.

Brianna and Kieth reside in a powerful bright orange van that they call, "Bertha". I will never be sure if it was Brianna's charming words that lulled me into this dream or Berthas powerful presence. Brianna and Kieth have been traveling through Utah and climbing every chance that they get. This couple and their desert-dwelling pups have exactly what I want out of life. They have freedom, copious amounts of joy, love, and they live out of their van! I always knew that buying a home wasn't going to be the first thing on my mind after graduation, something like a van was much more appealing to me. Worrying about paying the van off was always a better option than obtaining a mortgage or high rent fresh out of school. Brianna and Kieth show the ups and downs of this lifestyle and never once have I doubted my choice after seeing these two. There is something so humbling and so refreshing about a lifestyle like this. Brianna explains that she was working at an office job while living in the van and to me, that sounds like a blast. Nothing would light me up more than crawling out of a van at 7 a.m. and heading over to work. Kieth has a job working with climbers and instructing them so, they make this "dream world" more of a reality. The two of them show that van-life isn't always fun and games. You still have to work, be motivated, and be fearless. These are all things that I hold close to my heart. I want a life where I can travel and live but still show people my dedication and hard work ethic!

I went through a dry spell with my writing last year and was feeling like the world was spinning off of its axis. Writing has always been my passion and I've known from a young age that it's my calling in life. During my time away from the pen, I remember a time that this couple helped me. I was laying in bed at around 2 a.m. sobbing. My eyes burned from the hot tears and I was ready to give up and do something more "realistic" as others would put it. As I was having a catastrophic meltdown, I scrolled to a picture of this family. Brianna had written a beautiful caption on a photo and I sat there in awe over her words. I immediately put down my phone and began writing again. Brianna's honest words proved to me that I was in the right place and that I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing. Brianna works as a freelance writer and is currently working on her own book. She has inspired my writing in so many ways. It has always been a dream of mine to write a book so, after seeing her begin one I felt like my heart and mind were both in the right place. Brianna's writing has a sense of honesty in it that friends and family have always pointed out in my writing. Part of me thinks that there is some spiritual connection in our words! She and I both speak truthfully about experiences that we have had with the world and something about that soothes my soul. Brianna, Kieth, Bucket and Dag will continue to inspire me, my writing and my lifestyle every day.

(The photos in this post do not belong to me. They are the property of Brianna Madia.)