A year ago, Sarah watched her flatbed truck roll down the street with a mug of coffee in one hand. Twelve months and one unforgettable trip to the Pacific Northwest (and so much more) later, we asked her to look back.
Every New Van Day feels like a beginning, but you never really know what a van is going to become to someone until they’ve lived with it for a while. That means through the good trips (and the bad ones, too), the learning curve, and the ordinary Tuesdays. A year ago this month, Sarah picked up her DM Vans camper van. She new she was going to go full-time campervan living, but didn’t know what that entailed. We asked her to take us back to that morning and share the one thing about vanlife that ended up mattering more than she expected.
Here’s her story, in her own words.
The Moment It Became Real
Sarah remembers exactly where she was when her van showed up — not waiting at home, but walking down the avenue to her sister’s for their usual morning coffee.
“It was very early in the morning and I was walking down the avenue to my sister’s house for our morning coffee when I heard the rumble of the flatbed truck coming down the street. I literally ran down the street alongside it as they pulled in. I’ll never forget that moment. With a mug of coffee in one hand and waving down the truck with the other — I knew right then that there were some really great adventures ahead.”
More Than She Bargained For
Sarah always knew she’d be living in her van full-time. What she didn’t expect was how much the day-to-day reality of it would exceed what she’d imagined. It’s not just the travel, but the rhythm of having a home that moves with her.
“I knew I would be in my van full-time, however I really underestimated how much I would love it. I’ve realized it’s not just about the freedom to travel and the ability to spend time in incredible places, but also the ease of getting from here to there. Home is always with me. I can explore the world in my own way and on my own time — knowing at the end of the day I am always close to home.”
Best Trip So Far during her full-time campervan living
Ask any van owner for their favorite trip and you usually won’t just get one answer. But for Sarah, that place was hands down the Pacific Northwest.
“The best trip I’ve taken so far has been up to the Pacific Northwest. It was my first time in that area of our country, and I absolutely fell in love with it.”
The Simple Thing That Mattered Most
We asked Sarah what ended up mattering more than she expected — not the big, obvious stuff, but the small daily details that make vanlife actually livable. Her answer was about space, and about systems that don’t fight you.
“The livable space and simple systems. I really appreciate the room I have to live and all the space for my gear. It allows me to keep my space comfortable, clean and organized. It feels like a home and not like I’m just camping all the time. The systems used in my van are easy to understand, access and maintain. As someone who hates reading the directions to anything, I really, really appreciate this!”
Her Advice to the Next Owner
A year in, we asked Sarah what she’d tell someone who’s about to pick up their first DM Van — someone standing right where she stood that morning on the avenue.
“Congratulations. You’ve just made a decision that is going to change your life and open up a really special world.”
What Sarah Would Tell You
When we asked Sarah to sum up her year, she gave us something better than a sound bite — a reminder of why she made this choice in the first place.
“I wouldn’t say living in a van full time is for everyone. Nor would I say everyone should buy a van. But what I would say is that making choices that support your priorities can make the difference between just moving through life and truly living life. It can be scary and takes courage, but taking the time to slow down and be quiet for long enough to truly hear what your spirit has to say can be very freeing. What brings you joy? What are you doing when you feel your best? What opens up your heart, and what shuts it down? That is where you devote precious resources. That is what you use to guide choices. It was more than buying a van. It was allowing a life to unfold that was based on truth, meaning, intention and joy. Whatever your ‘van’ is… do it.”
Describing DM Vans in One Sentence
We had to ask — if Sarah described DM Vans to a friend, what would she say?
“DM Vans are incredible quality vans made with thoughtful intention, backed by an experienced, big-hearted team.”
Ready to start your own story?
Whatever your “van” is, we’d love to help you build it. Reach out to our team to start a conversation about your own van or explore the models on our website to see what’s possible.