Laundromats are as much an aspect of vanlife as are the campgrounds, hikes, hot showers, and grocery stores. I can say with some authority now, that laundromats vary as much as the other aspects mentioned. Some are sparkly clean, some have modern washers and driers, some offer bathrooms, some have wifi; then there are those that, as a pass-through traveler, I wonder how they stay in business because they are not clean, there is no bathroom, their machines are not in proper working order, and there are no attendants available. Nonetheless, once a week we spend 90-minutes of our vanlife in the laundromat, for better or worse.
This morning, at Burton’s Laundromat in South Bend, Indiana, I had an unexpected and truly tender experience about which I feel compelled to share.
We pulled into the parking lot at 8 AM, in a steady rain, just as the laundromat opened. Right away it was apparent that this was a high-end facility — it was large and clean, with all new machines of varying capacity. I loaded our typical two loads and darn if I wasn’t stumped about how to pay. Clearly they took only “cards” which I thought meant credit cards, so there I was tapping my credit card all over the front of the control area without any washing action being initiated. At the far end of the laundromat was an attendant’s office, from which, to my delight, a cheery woman came to the window to inquire as to how she could help. I expressed my confusion about having tapped my credit card to no avail, to which she smiled, then walked out to lead me to “their card” machine; it turns out that, using a credit card, a customer must purchase a Burton’s card which is then used to readily communicate payment to their machines. The smallest denomination was a $20 card, which I knew was more than I would need, but which she said I could use on my next trip. As I began to explain that we were traveling through she exclaimed, “I knew it! I saw you park your van, and watched you both carry in laundry. I just knew you were husband and wife traveling together, just stopping to do laundry.” She continued, “It about made me cry to see you two smiling and working together; I want to be married like that!”
Thanking her for her help and her kind words, I stayed busy for the next hour-plus, as the laundromat filled up with numerous moms and kids, all going through the grind of washing their clothes. As I was folding, she came by with her own cleaning bucket, prompting me to thank her for her diligence while commenting on the modern equipment and cleanliness of the place. When we brought our clean clothes to the van to put away, I went back inside to give her my Burton’s card, asking her to please give it to another customer who would benefit from whatever dollar amount was still on the card. She seemed so surprised that she became emotional, which got me all emotional. She asked how long we’ve been on the road and how we came to be traveling, to which I explained that we were ten months in to what we hope will be 3 strong years of vanlife travel, which led to her sharing that she so looks forward to retirement someday, but first she wants to find a good man and be married! She asked how long John and I have been married, exclaiming–as she took my hand–that we are so blessed and could she say a prayer for us? Both of us were choked up at this moment, sharing a deep gaze into each other’s eyes as she said her silent prayer. In a matter of 2 minutes, she and I had a tender connection that moved us both to tears of gratitude. In a laundromat! In South Bend, Indiana! I could barely tell John about it, my heart was so filled with joy as my tears flowed. It was a small moment in an already rich life, and one that I will cherish.
Life is filled with unexpected tender connections. May you find one of your own, today. xo
