Hi, we’re Lauren (24) and Ethan (22). We’ve been together for almost six years, and we’re at a crossroads where we need to make an important decision about our future.

At the beginning of our relationship, when we were teenagers, Ethan went through wilderness therapy rehab and a therapeutic boarding school, learning resilience, survival skills, and self-reliance in ways most people never have to. During that time, his family opened their home to me when I was eighteen and had nowhere stable to live—an act of kindness that shaped both of our lives.

Not long after we reunited, we faced an unplanned pregnancy. We were young, unprepared, and honestly, we didn’t want to become parents at that stage of our lives. We knew our son deserved more than we could give him at the time. We made the loving decision to choose adoption, and he’s thriving with his family today. We remain part of his life and are grateful he is surrounded by so much love.

Since then, we’ve worked hard to build our own stability. Ethan spent three years learning carpentry under multiple mentors, developing real skill and craftsmanship, as well as broader remodel and building knowledge. While working, he spent hours listening to books and podcasts, feeding his mind alongside his craft.

I worked in eldercare—caring for people with ALS, Parkinson’s, and dementia—then spent nearly four years at an educational company. I started as a grader, learning the curriculum inside and out by doing most of the assignments myself, and worked my way up to marketing coordination. There I learned email marketing, social media strategy, graphic design, website building, daily communication with colleagues, and coordinating weekend courses and events. That job also taught me about cultural exchange and gave me opportunities to build conflict resolution skills.

Our jobs have shaped us in profound ways and given us so many skills, perspectives, and experiences to build from. We’ve always figured things out on our own and taken pride in that. But recently, we’ve realized something important: we’ve been so focused on just getting by and working hard that we haven’t had the space to step back, integrate everything we’ve learned, and intentionally choose how we want to use these skills and what kind of life we want to build

Why We Need This Time

We’re both creative, driven people, but we’ve gotten caught up in the cycle of working jobs that sustain us without developing the talents and interests that could lead to something more meaningful. So we’re planning a focused three-month journey through the Pacific Northwest with our French bulldog. We’ll be off-grid camping in places like Mt. Shasta, the Redwoods, and the Hoh Rainforest—living simply while we reconnect with what truly motivates us.

This isn’t about running away. It’s about taking intentional time to develop our individual talents before we get further down a path that doesn’t feel right. Ethan is a natural builder—he’s made everything from our bed frame to experimenting with apps and even a brain wave reader. He wants space to explore where his drive to create and build could lead. I want to give my creativity in music and visual art the space it’s never had to flourish—and figure out how these passions might connect to meaningful work.

We believe that taking this time now—while we’re young and don’t have dependents—will help us build careers and a life that truly fits who we are, rather than just settling for what pays the bills.

How Your Support Helps

We’ve saved what we could and planned carefully to keep costs minimal, but we need help covering our $10,000 goal for:

• Final truck repairs and completing our off-grid camper setup

• Fuel for three months of travel through the Pacific Northwest

• Basic food supplies for simple meals while camping

We’re committed to living as simply as possible and making every dollar count. Any funds raised beyond our goal will help cover unexpected repairs, essential gear we couldn’t otherwise afford, and give us the chance to actually experience the places we’re traveling through—visiting local museums, trying regional foods, or doing activities we’d normally have to skip. Any leftover funds can also help us as we transition into the next phase after our road trip, giving us a stronger foundation for whatever we build next.

Why This Matters to Us

We’re asking for support because we believe this is our chance to figure out how to contribute something meaningful instead of just getting by without clear direction on where we’re headed. We’ve consistently worked hard and overcome challenges, but we want to make sure the next chapter of our lives is intentional.

When we return, we’ll have the clarity to build something that matters—whether that’s starting a business that combines our skills, creating art that inspires others, or simply being more purposeful in how we show up in the world.

If you believe in investing in young people who want to build something meaningful with their lives, we’d be deeply grateful for your support.

Important Note: Ethan’s parents, Lora and Jude, are generously matching all donations, so every dollar you give goes twice as far toward making this journey possible.

Other Ways to Support Us

If you prefer to contribute directly, you can Venmo me at: @laurenk123

We’re grateful for any support—whether it’s financial, sharing our story, or simply believing in what we’re trying to build. We plan to capture plenty of photos, videos, and journal our experiences along the way. While we may not update consistently, we’re excited to share parts of our adventure as we can.

Thank you for being part of our lives and for helping us step into this next chapter with clarity and hope.

Lauren & Ethan