Minivan Love

We just returned from our first (and longest) road trip of the year. We drove to Seattle to visit my sister Melanie and her family. It was a great trip. Being in the car for the 14-hour drive, I got to thinking about our van.

As the kids get older, I seem to spend more and more time in the van, In fact, sometimes I feel like I spend more time in the van than I do at home. Stay-at-home mom--ya right!

For as much as I love the van, we never really named her. (At one point Christian decided to start calling her "The Tank," but that didn't really stick.)

But, love her I do!


When I got pregnant with Christian we got to thinking about getting a van. Andrew was four and Bev was two. I loved our Explorer, but going from two children to three was going to make car seats a challenge. I don't know why, but I was hesitant to get a van. I think it had something to do with accepting the fact that I was becoming one of them. You know, one in the force of minivan-driving Mormon moms.

We bought it new in August 2003 from Karl Malone Toyota. I immediately loved it--the automatic sliding passenger side door, the DVD player, cup holders galore, a big bucket trunk area that fit everything including a monstrous double stroller.

My love for this vehicle has not waned. As the kids get bigger, it is nice to have all of that space. We love all of the plugs for charging various electronic devices. I love that I can run a day of errands (including Costco) and fit it all of the purchases in the back. I love that I can fit all of the kids, their stuff, and even a few friends and not feel squished. I love that it is paid off.

We have some great memories associated with the van.

We brought Christian home from the hospital in the van. We brought Jessi home from the airport in the van. We have had some great times going places. We have had some great conversations in the van (and only a few fights.)

I have memories of Delores and Roberta in my van that first year. Of trips to Social Security, doctors appointments and the Bishop's storehouse.

Nowadays, she and I frequent the school, Costco, Harmons and Target. You can also find us parked at the Rec Center, tumbing, karate, the soccer field. We also frequent Rio and 7-Eleven.

She is not the cleanest vehicle around. On an average day, you will find pretzel crumbs under the carseats, plant soil in the trunk and lots of half-empty water bottles in the cup holders.

She now has 90,000 miles. She has taken us on many roadtrips--Seattle (three times now,) Moab, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Fish Lake (almost every year,) Yellowstone, San Diego.

She has taken us on camping trips, fishing, to the Uintah's and up the canyon for hikes and picnics.

She has taken many carpools, gotten us to many a soccer game, many doctor's appointments and many, many errands.

She has taken me and my friends to dinner and consignment shopping and to Smart Cookie.

She was in an accident about a year after we got her. Mike had Katie, Courney and Tyler in the car with him and Andrew and Bev when somebody ran a red light on Redwood Road and hit them. Andrew was five and as they were waiting for the police to come he exclaimed, "Everyone get in your seatbelts or they'll take Dad to jail." (They were in their seatbelts when they were hit.) The van was repaired and worked as good as new.

She has been puked in, peed in (Hey Randy, remember that trip to Seattle?) and has experienced more spills than I can remember.

We have had very few repairs/issues with her. She is a low-maintenance sort of gal.

I think back to my resisting her introduction into my life, and I think what a silly younger me I was. I now have plans to drive her forever (at least until all the kids are out of the house and I get me a red convertible Mustang.) If I had to get a new car right now, I would buy her all over again.

Here's to many more years with my precious travel companion!