Futile Gesture, I’ve had many many dreams like the ones you described.
I also have two weird recurring dreams. I am walking around a college campus (not any I’ve ever been on) - sort of like what I imagine Harvard must look like. Very majestic, beautiful, and well-manicured. Anyway, I’m walking with this man who is absolutely the love of my life. I know without a shadow of a doubt that this is the man who is my soulmate, and I am absolutely happy, content, and peaceful in every possible way. We just walk around campus, and then head to this beautiful building that sort of resembles the Capitol Building only with bigger windows. He gives me a hug and we kiss, and then he walks away.
When I awake, I’m in the most peaceful state I have ever felt. I relish waking up from that dream, because I feel absolute unadulterated joy just exploding from me. I usually lay there for a few minutes, and something as simple as breathing seems like a beautiful gift. Sometimes I’m so happy I cry. But I can never remember what the guy looks like. I have it at least once a month or so. It makes my whole day worthwhile.
I also have a recurring dream about my father dying. IRL, he is actually dying, but I started having this dream years ago and still have it once a month. I’m living in a beautiful land with green fields and lovely little cottages. My father lives in a huge castle far away, and although I have my own little life, I miss him very much. One morning I wake up and realize he is dying, so I rush to get to his side. I run across these fields and through beautiful woods, and I’m in pain from pushing myself. I enter a tunnel-like maze like the kind you see in playlands in McDonald’s. I’m struggling to reach him, but I’m tired and weary. I know for some reason that he is going to die by the time the sun sets, and I realize I’m not going to make it to him. I keep pushing myself, and finally I reach the end of the maze and can see his castle in the distance, but just as I do the sun drops behind the field and there’s total darkness. I drop to my knees and start to cry, but then this huge beautiful white light fills the sky. Colors explode from the center of this light and it is breathtakingly beautiful. I still cry, but I’m also filled with joy. I usually wake up crying, but I’m very very happy at the same time. It’s a nice dream and I look forward to having it.
Most of my dreams are in technicolor, too.