I can understand why buying a new car might break the bank, but break my heart? I didn’t anticipate the feeling of sadness!
Lots of Miles Logged
I’ve driven SUVs for child transport and carpool for as long as I can remember. I’ve done the morning drop off and waited in the pick up line over and over and over. A quick calculation adds up to a minimum of 1,620 hours or 97,200 minutes or almost ten, full round-the-clock weeks doing only school drop off and pick up. Not to mention all of the other rides to practices, volunteer events, friends’ houses, movies, concerts and birthday parties. Back in the day of full-mom-no-kid-driving-yet mode, I was clocking 23,000 miles a year in my trusty SUV.
And then there are the road trips. Orlando, Miami, Naples, Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, Charlotte and endless college visits. Lots of miles, hours and family time. Treasured memories. From the VHS tapes of Barney and Disney Princesses, to DVDs of all seasons of Full House (current Aunt Becky woes aside) to earbuds and rap “music” I can’t bear to listen to!
Sucker for the Memories
I remember when my youngest got her license and began to drive to and from school. I felt relieved to finally step down my time in the car! But then I realized quickly, which I also experienced with my oldest daughter, I no longer had the chat time during the rides. I appreciated it more with the second than the first, because I had learned how precious it was and also what the void felt like when it was gone. I learned that the time right after school ended was when I would learn the most about life at school. When I no longer drove her to school, I couldn’t car-dance my way into the school drive knowing I was embarrassing my daughter as she repeatedly said, “Mom, stop it, really… I’m not kidding.”
While carpooling itself isn’t that exciting, I did love that I could drive and listen to the dynamics of the group in the car, make some observations about who was kind, who was funny, who was neither… Plus I learned that I didn’t enjoy when there was no conversation because all riders had their faces in their phones.
No doubt, I’ve spent many hours in my SUV.
Not a Car Shopping Fan
When I began looking for a new ride, I assumed I would get another SUV. Maybe something a little smaller than the three-row option, but an SUV for sure. My husband pointed out that I really didn’t need that much room anymore. I countered that while that might be true, I liked driving the height of an SUV and wasn’t sure I would enjoy a sedan, especially one that was low to the ground.
I enjoy nothing about car shopping. It’s time consuming, not a fun negotiation process and miserably hot in Florida in June! I immediately drove the updated version of the SUV I have, which was more awesome than I expected. I was done, ready to buy it again and move forward. My husband shamed me into checking out a few more options.
Unexpectedly, I saw an almost hybrid SUV at the third dealership we went to that was more like a tall sedan than a short SUV. It was a little sporty, which wasn’t even on the radar for me. It was really fun to drive. It’s not nearly as roomy as my SUV, but there’s plenty of room.
Changing it Up
I decided to change it up with the smaller, sportier mini-SUV. I won’t get it for another month and in the meantime, I find myself nostalgic every time I get into my trusty SUV. I’ve loved it… it’s been my favorite vehicle and I’ve certainly spent enough time in my cars to have a favorite.
Moving Forward
Laura talks about how she dislikes the term “empty nest”. I have to agree, as it’s a sad way to look at our lives. My youngest is rolling into her senior year of high school, and I intend to treasure every moment. And then she’ll be going to college. Things are as they should be and while I’m nostalgic and have the periodic pit in my stomach, I truly am grateful to move forward, uncertainty and all, even without my mom car.
