We did it!
We mastered another move out, all while recovering from some mega-virus (not the C) that took our family DOWN. Thank God Matt stayed healthy to do the bulk of the move out work, because I was definitely out of commission caring for the littles and frankly, just surviving.
By June 30th, we got everything out of the rental we were in, downsized our possessions to some rubbermaid bins in a small shed and our camper van. We’ve still got bits and bobs to purge, but we’re making great progress…or shall I say “purgegress.”
We’re currently basecampjng at my parents for a bit, so we can be proximal to the Tiny house and do/oversee work while finding small escapes in the van to visit family or have long beach days. The van provides a little bit of autonomy and a ‘home away from home’ vibe for us. There’s something about being back in Freeda (the van) that feels good. We’ve been given the chance to heal from the old traumas that originated 3 years ago when we embarked on our first nomadic adventures into tiny living. We will be selling her within a month to use the funds to pay for the rest of the tiny house materials and labor, unless another financial miracle occurs. I hold everything loosely right now, and practice gratitude for the things I have even if for a vapor of time.
We decided to take Freeda on a soft-launch (re)maiden voyage down south. We visited my Gramma in Carlsbad for her 90th and the 4th.
San Diego is where Matt and I met over 15 years ago and so it holds a special place in our hearts. We are definitely fans of the warmer water, sunshine and healthy vibes everywhere. We took so much joy in watching Fin embrace his namesake and become the fish we knew he was destined to be. That kid was on the hunt for “good body-boarding waves” the entire trip. He is a natural at good wave-selection, and Matt and I were so pleased to share in the ocean-love with our eldest son. Kai and Elle are still pretty happy digging holes in the sand all day and snacking. Life is always good at the beach with good snacks and drinks, am I right!?
The entire trip was pretty dreamy, save for the night spent in the ER after Matt got a piece of meat lodged in his throat. No joke.
We prayed for a miracle, and that the meat would move on its own. We did handstands, visualizations, neck massaging, the coca-cola trick… NOTHING WORKED. Thank God for modern medicine. We’re sort of stubborn people who don’t like to go to doctors or hospitals, but this was a moment of necessary submission.
When we arrived, we made friends with this man named Kenneth in the waiting room. Kenneth was a fountain of wisdom and felt divinely placed. Matt said the entire ER experience was worth it, just to have met Kenneth. It’s like he knew what we needed to hear without knowing us personally. He was a burly dude and would get emotional and tear up over many of the things I would say. He seemed lonely and spent most of our visit telling us how blessed we were to have a beautiful family. I love when men can get vulnerable and show their emotions. It’s a sign of strength and something I appreciate a lot about my own husband. You’ll never ever wonder what Matt is feeling or thinking.
After we got through that hurdle, we got back to the beach and working on our dreams.
During the trip we discovered the need to pivot slightly on our company name. Here was already taken in Wyoming, so we’re now transitioning to Behere, the domain name we were already inhabiting. It’s quickly growing on us, as it’s more uniquely ownable. We’re no strangers to the startup pivot.
The name tweak brought with it new clarity and a clearer call to action for our lives currently, to be even more present and grateful amidst this transition. I am getting really good at going through trials without falling prey to the “why me?” response. I know that each trial means I GET to learn something. The triumph on the other side will feel that much sweeter after going through the pain. Enduring illness brings with it forced rest and usually comes at a time where you just need to sit-the-F-down and listen more to your body and submit to divine guidance. I was quite humbled during this 1-month “plague” that brought me to my knees in tears some nights. But just like our name, I was forced to “Be here” fully in this place God has me, feeling all the feels while still aspiring to get through and imagine a brighter day.
Without a personal home or sanctuary, I have been reminded how much my body is a temple. Taking care of this vessel and my family’s vessels has never been more important. That is why we’re prioritizing wellness as a foundational pillar.
We will be providing a real food lunch everyday to our members and will be linking arms with the best of the best chefs in ancient nutrition to serve up healing plates of goodness every day.
I invite you to be here now wherever life has you, to be present and grateful but also doing the work to imagine and create a better day and life.
Will you come alongside me and imagine a new and better day for you and your family?
Close your eyes, listen to this audio and imagine with me.
Imagine A New Day. - or play below -
Everything starts with imagination and a desire. We are working to get well beyond a vision and make this dream a reality for many of you to be blessed with the experience to be together with your family, on the same soil, while also separately working on growing in your gifts and individual callings. To make this a reality we will need capital, teammates, land, and infrastructure. If you want to participate in any way, we’re holding weekly roundtable discussions in a beautiful, open-air venue space, inviting those who want to participate in this conversation to make this dream a reality. We will share our pitch deck with you over great wine, nibbles and conversation. It’s a collaborative night full of insight and sharing. We live for this stuff!
We’re leaving space for experts and re-thinkers of education, nutrition, business, permaculture and wellness to come into the discussion and sharpen our idea. If that’s you… please reach out and join us at an upcoming Friday Roundtable.
We can’t wait to break bread with you!
Cheers!
-Brooke
Co-Founder BeHere | ph: 805 914 7537 | e: brooke@behere.re
p.s. Are you an angel or early stage investor, or do you know one? Do you have land or resources in the Ventura County/Malibu adjacent areas that might help make this dream a reality? Are you talented at working with children and love the outdoors? We’d love an introduction and can take you through our pitch deck to see if what we’re building is a fit for you.