From High School Halls to Hot Tub Reflections: Why I Plan (and Live) with Heart

By Regina Madiera-Gorden

It wasn’t actually a hot tub time machine, but it did happen in the hot tub.

One quiet Saturday morning, I was soaking in the stillness, watching the sun stretch across my yard, and reflecting on what’s next for me in this chapter of life. That moment, wrapped in nature and nostalgia, launched me into the planning of something deeply meaningful: my 40-year high school reunion.

Let me tell you, forty years goes by in a blink. One minute you’re walking across the graduation stage, and the next, you’re balancing work, aging parents, grown kids, and a to do list that never ends. And somewhere in there, you ask yourself: What matters most now?

For me, planning this reunion has been an invitation to remember, reconnect, and reflect. It’s reminded me how precious time is. How shared stories shape us. How each chapter we live becomes part of a home we carry inside.

It’s funny, but in some ways, planning this reunion feels a lot like real estate. You’re coordinating details, bringing people together, and hoping to create a moment that feels like belonging. Whether it’s helping a client say goodbye to a family home full of memories, or welcoming someone into their next chapter, I find myself doing the same thing - leading with heart, honoring stories, and creating space for what comes next.

As I look ahead, not just to the reunion, but to the next 25 years, I’m asking myself and others: What kind of life do you want to build? Where do you feel most alive? Who do you want to surround yourself with?

If these questions are stirring something in you-or if you’re entering a new season and want a guide by your side, I’d love to hear from you.

And if you’re a member of Class of ’85 and have memories, photos, or thoughts to share for our reunion—please email me at Regina@windermere.com. I'd love to include your voice.

Here’s to living fully, remembering fondly, and always planning with heart.

Regina

Regina Madiera-Gorden | REALTOR®

RM HOME SPECIALISTS, Managing Broker

Windermere West Campus

Cell: 253-381-6685 | call/text/email