Defining the American dream is different for people of all ages, even if it is based off of the famous phrase in the Declaration of Independence, “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

As we gravitate away from old morals and ideals and new generations are entering this world, the American dream is told differently through each generation.

Each generation focuses on the same hopes and dreams, but they have their own twist to how they have dreamed their life to be or how they are continuing to dream of it.

Junior Nickole Sarginson’s family tells each of their American Dreams.

Twila and Rick Roesner, aka Grandma and Grandpa

Nickole’s grandparents, Mrs. Twila and Mr. Rick Roesner, have lived a life of beauty together, both having hopeful dreams when they were younger.

“My American dream started when I was a little girl and was simple, I wanted big things,” Twila, 64, said. “I always wanted to get married, have a big family, and live in a big house.”

“My American dream was to work hard and have a good job,” Rick, 64, said. “My goal was to see the beauties of the country, but make it even more beautiful for others.”

Rick finds the most beautiful thing in America to be the opportunities it blessed him with.

“Other places didn’t have the choices and opportunities I did growing up, whether it was in the workforce or even within marriage,” Rick said.

Both happily nodded and agreed when asked if they have lived their American dream how they wanted.

“I have lived out my dream,” Twila said. “I have been very, very happy with my life and received all I ever could wish for.”

“I did live out my dreams,” Rick said. “I made it through 42 years of working and have enough to live nicely and spoil my grand kids.”

Rick worked for a plumbing and heating company, building mechanical piping for factories all over the country.

After leaving high school, he immediately entered into a five-year apprenticeship to learn the ins and outs of plumbing and heating.

He started out low on the ladder, but through out his 42 years of hard work, he earned the title of superintendent.

Twila has also worked hard to achieve her dreams.

“It was either me or Rick go to school and, ultimately, you have to make the decision that works best for your family,” Twila said.

“I worked for 30 years in an office job, which is where I met Rick,” Twila said. “After leaving the office, I decided to open my own daycare, which was the best choice I ever made.”

She found the daycare to be her favorite job.

“Kids are everything to me. I loved the daycare because each child I got to meet was so special in their own way,” Twila said.

Rick and Twila both feel they have fulfilled everything they wanted in life.

“I got to raise three beautiful boys, four step children, and 11 grand kids, which is all I could ever ask for,” Rick said.

He then laughed. “OK, maybe I wanted to catch the world record bass, so maybe not everything I could ask for,” he said.

He summed up the main part of his American dream in one simple sentence, but with such depth to it.

“I am not rich, nor do I have a million dollars, but I do have millions of memories and happiness given to me by my family and friends.”

Jodie Groulx Sarginson, aka Mom

Jodie, Nickole’s mother, is 39 years old and is in the middle of her American dream.

“I am living out my dream in a way that I am happy with. I have a good job as an occupational therapist and get to make a difference in many people’s lives,” Jodie said. “I am blessed with a healthy, smart, funny, beautiful daughter that I am very close to, along with a close family and many friends.”

Growing up with big dreams led Jodie to the life she always wished for because the hope of achieving big things goes hand in hand with her hard work.

Similarly, Jodie wanted what her mom and stepfather had in life, but with different aspects to match her outgoing, fun personality.

She dreamed more of making memories with the ones around her rather than just focusing on making a living.

“Growing up, I wanted to make good money, have a big family, have a nice house, not necessarily a big one, just a nice one people enjoyed coming over to,” Jodie said. “I wanted my children’s friends to always feel like my house was their second home.

“Mainly I wanted to live a long life filled with good health and happiness, mostly being able to grow old to see my daughter’s children grow.”

Her dreams were accomplished through her life’s dedication.

“I fulfilled my dream by attending college, but mostly it was fulfilled by striving to be an independent woman, showing my daughter what it is like to be successful,” Jodie said. “I wanted her to know she could accomplish anything she dreamed of.”

One aspect of her dream just wasn’t in the cards for her though, but she still feels blessed.

“I wish I would’ve had more children so Nickole didn’t have to be an only child. I always wanted a big family, and even though I didn’t get that, I really do love my life,” Jodie said.

Nickole Sarginson

Nickole, 17, may look or seem like an ordinary girl, but her and her dreams are far more than extraordinary.

She dreams of living how she did as she was younger, but her plans for the future are filled with big aspirations.

“If I could live out my honest American dream I would be an actress/model. I’ve already done many photo shoots and script readings for an agency,” Nickole said. “I was even invited to go to Chicago this June (2016) to model and act for many popular scouts.”

However, she has other plans in case the modeling industry is not for her.

Let’s just refer to her as Hannah Montana because she really does dream of having the best of both worlds.

“If that dream doesn’t work out the way I want it to, then I ultimately plan to go to a university and attend medical school for some degree in the medical field,” Nickole said.

She immediately found an interest in biology and chemistry after taking both classes at the high school.

That may sum up the dream of what she wants for her life, but not how she wants to live her life outside of work.

Family is her foundation of her American dream. She hopes to be as blessed in the future as she has been growing up.

“I have always dreamed of having a job where I make the most money, but I do the least possible,” Nickole said while giggling. “But, in reality, all I want is to live in a big house on a lake, just really around any body of water, with lots of my children running around, seeming as I want a big family like I grew up in.”

She thinks that the American dream is all about how happy you are with the life you live.

“My happiness in life will come from my children and my husband, as long as I have them, I won’t have any worries,” Nickole said.