For those who don’t know, John Galt is a character in Ayn Rand’s magnum opus Atlas Shrugged, and ever since I read the 1,100-page tome in college, I’ve wanted to be John Galt. Or, at least, one of his followers. You see, John Galt “collects” the movers and shakers of the world and brings them to a month-long retreat every year where they get to interact with each other and do the things they love most in the world. For. A. Whole. Month. 

Like those antiquated-but-nostalgic stays that people used to do with each other when horse-drawn carriages were the primary mode of transportation, seen in books like Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. People used to go and stay with friends for months at a time. 

I’ve always wanted friendships like these. I’ve always wanted visits like these, where nothing exists but the throng of fresh ideas being poured from every crevice of your being in a room full of like-minded individuals, writerly artistic ones, in my case.

Last week, I returned home from one of these kinds of visits. Shortened to only 1 1/2 weeks, but no less powerful or impactful. It was the best time I’ve had in…gosh, I can’t even remember how long. Going on safari in South Africa for my honeymoon 3 years ago, maybe? Yeah, it was that good.

A fellow writer and friend of mine recently moved from Arkansas to Massachusetts, and suddenly our mutual world opened up again. No longer a 4-hour flight away but a mere 4-hour drive, we had to get together for an extended time—for the first time in over two years. So I packed my bags—much easier to do when you’re traveling by car than plane—and drove up.

Friends, let me tell you, it is an amazing experience to have (nearly) all of your emotional needs met at one time, in one place. I missed my husband at home, of course, but the trade-off having a daily friend, a writing partner, an amazing living space (decorated in Hogwarts/Harry Potter paraphernalia, perfect), access to an adorable 2-year-old, a cat, and two dogs. It. Was. Great. The house was alive and buzzing with love and comfort in a way that my house currently isn’t, with me home alone most of the day writing while my husband is off at work. We need a pet. We need kids. But those things are on the horizon and not quite here yet.

My favorite part of the visit came every day around 5 pm when my friend’s husband got home from work, took over parental duties, and we two writers trudged down to the basement office and wrote alongside each other for hours. Strange as I am, that is my dream relationship (of any kind, romantic or otherwise): being in the same room with people, occasionally interacting, but mostly doing your own work alongside those people. To be in comfortable enough company—and like-minded company—to do this and not feel alone or awkward is actually pretty hard to find, and I found it with this friend.

I hope to have more moments like this in the future, and as for this friend, she and I are planning a visit for at least 1 week every season—four times a year. That’s almost like John Galt and his month-long sessions, just split up over 12 months. I fantasize one day about having enough money to build an artist’s colony/retreat for all my favorite people and talented up-and-comers. That’s the kind of stuff I dream about.

What do you dream about doing in the future? What are some of your favorite moments with friends you’re able to achieve now? Tell me in the comments below!