When I Grow Up, I Want to Be Dick Van Dyke: A Magical Encounter

A magical day at Vandy Manor with Dick, Arlene, Jamie, and the always charming Boots.

I grew up with The Dick Van Dyke Show in the background, and of course, Mary Poppins sprinkled in. But it was my girlfriend Jamie who really brought Dick Van Dyke back into my life recently, and I saw his magic all over again through fresh eyes.

Fast forward to August 31st, and there we were—invited to Vandy Manor to meet Dick Van Dyke and his incredible wife, Arlene. This was a bucket-list dream for Jamie, and let me tell you, it was a magical experience in every sense.

Dick is turning 100 this December, and the man is pure living legend. But what really amazed me wasn’t just his iconic career—it was the kindness and genuine care that both he and Arlene showed us. Everyone who knows them says the same thing: they are caring, consistent, and always putting others before themselves. They are the kind of people who make the world a brighter place just by being in it.

On top of that, Dick made a point of complimenting my purple suit multiple times—it felt like stepping into one of his sitcoms, except he was making me feel like the star.

In the end, this whole experience reminded me that true greatness isn’t just about talent or fame—it’s about the way you treat people. And that’s why, when I grow up, I want to be like Dick Van Dyke. Because he’s not just a legend—he’s truly magic.

-Jonathan Molo

The Man in the Purple Suit