Drive.

I'm a Volkswagen girl.  

I bought my first one in 2002 - a silver Cabrio that I named Gretchen von Volkswagen, Princess of Cabrio.  I loved that car and drove it for 12 years, 170,000 plus miles and, when the time came to trade it in, was given floormats as a trade.  She was in rough shape, but I adored her.

I've stayed with VW since my first one, and named each of them - there was B-B-B-Benny the Jett(a), Joan Jetta and The Marriage Mobile.

The week after Sean and I got engaged in 2018, I bought The Marriage Mobile - named because that's where we were headed.

I owned that car longer than I was a wife.

It's sad and funny in a twisted way, when you think about it.

Sean hated driving - I love it, so for the majority of our relationship, I was the main driver.  We loved road trips and making playlists for those road trips.  Philly, Boston, Cleveland (for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame).  We loved going off the beaten path and hitting up roadside stands for coffee and snacks. Even when we got lost (or when I refused to follow the GPS), we had fun. And many of those trips included a very excited 4 legged lady in the backseat.

Since Sean died, I haven't done a lot of road tripping.

The last few months I've been thinking about saying goodbye to the Marriage Mobile and getting something new, but was very hesitant to do it for a few reasons.  I was more than a little sad about saying goodbye to the car that drove us on so many fun adventures.  And I've never gone car shopping without my financial advisor and voice of reason: Big Mike (my dad).

I know.  I'm 49.  More than old enough to do something like this on my own.  But every major decision in my life (aside from saying yes to Sean's proposal), I've always run past my dad.  But this time I knew if I did it, I'd have to do it alone.  Big Mike has had some health issues in the past 4 years and his mobility isn't the greatest.  Getting him in and out of Gensinger VW would prove to be a challenge.

On Tuesday, Big Mike and I went out to lunch.  I had mentioned a few times in the last month or so that I was thinking about a new car.  We spoke about it while dining on hot dogs (his choice - and one he was very happy with) and when I brought him home, I told him I was going to drive over to VW and see my guy - Dave, and check out what they had in their showroom.  Dave has been my VW guy since 2002 when he sold me Gretchen.

Two hours later, I walked out after leaving a deposit on a 2024 Taos.

I sat there with Dave, negotiated the price and the trade in for the Marriage Mobile, and left with a reminder to come back on Thursday when I would pick up my new car.

Wednesday, I took the Marriage Mobile for one last road trip.  

MM and I headed southwest towards Lambertville and I spent two hours at the Golden Nugget Antique and Flea Market (where I found a new copy of Bee Gees Gold on vinyl).  Then I drove across the bridge into New Hope and wandered around for a few hours, popping into shops, and strolling up and down Main Street.  On my way home I stopped at a farm stand we had visited in the past, and picked up some peaches to bring home.

Yesterday, I cleaned out the Marriage Mobile, and drove to Gensinger.  On the way, I Was Made for Loving You by Kiss came on - that was Sean's ringtone for me.  I took it as a good sign.

I sat down with Dave, signed all the papers, and drove home in my new car.

Like everything that's occurred in the last 11 months, the new ride is going to be an adjustment.

But this is one that I am looking forward to.

New car.  New name (I'm working out a few at the moment).  New playlists.

New adventures.

Here's hoping my 4 legged co-pilot enjoys the air conditioned seats.