I had a dream about cupcakes

In 1999, we risked the biggest leap we had leapt to date. From one coast to another, we blazed our trail like settlers, generations before. Life had presented a fresh opportunity, and we didn't hesitate to pursue the sunny shores of San Diego.

We took 12 days to traverse interstate and highway, dirt road and paved for 3000 miles. We stopped to see memorials, attend pow-wows, enjoy steak-eating challenges, and study stalagmites and stalactites.

But my husband's favorite memory was alongside the road at cozy little rest stops. Unpacking salads and snacks, I'd rustle up some lunch. It was serene, this little slice of "home" between homes. One specific afternoon, we chatted on the picnic blanket while our eldest, who had just turned 4, napped between us.

As we finished and packed up, our son woke, groggy and disoriented, and dreemily sing-songed a phrase we have kept alive for 25 years.

"I had a dream about cupcakes."

He never explained a drop of that dream to us. He didn't need to. It was precious and innocent and dreem-like, and became the singular phrase that sprinkled its joy over this brand new, sugary-sweet era of our sun-kissed lives.

FIRST EDIT

In 1999, we took a huge leap of faith. We decided to move from one coast of the United States to the other, making our way to San Diego. It was a fresh start and we were eager to begin this new chapter in our lives.

We spent 12 days traveling across the country, driving over 3000 miles on interstates, highways, and dirt roads. Along the way, we stopped to visit memorials, attend pow-wows, participate in steak-eating challenges, and explore caves.

Out of all the experiences we had, my husband's favorite memory was the time we spent at cozy little rest stops. I would unpack salads and snacks and we would enjoy lunch together on a picnic blanket. It was a peaceful and familiar moment amidst the chaos of our long journey. One afternoon, our eldest son, who had just turned four, fell asleep between us while we were chatting.

As we finished our lunch and began to pack up, our son woke up groggy and disoriented. In a dreamy voice, he said, "I had a dream about cupcakes." He never explained what he meant, but it became a cherished memory that we still talk about 25 years later. It was a precious and innocent moment that added a sprinkle of joy to our new, sun-kissed lives in San Diego.

SECOND EDIT

In 1999, my family and I decided to move from one coast of the United States to the other, making our way to San Diego. It was a big decision and we were excited to start a new chapter in our lives. We spent 12 days traveling across the country, driving over 3000 miles on interstates, highways, and dirt roads. Along the way, we stopped to visit memorials, attend pow-wows, participate in steak-eating challenges, and explore caves. Out of all the experiences we had, my husband's favorite memory was the time we spent at cozy little rest stops. We would enjoy lunch together on a picnic blanket and our eldest son, who had just turned four, fell asleep between us while we were chatting. As we finished our lunch and began to pack up, our son woke up groggy and disoriented. In a dreamy voice, he said, "I had a dream about cupcakes." He never explained what he meant, but it became a cherished memory that we still talk about 25 years later. It was a precious and innocent moment that added a sprinkle of joy to our new, sun-kissed lives in San Diego.