I'm a nerd for being so upset over selling the jetta. But really, it's not the car I'm sad about. It's more of me being sad over a time in my life that has passed on. A time that was absolutely amazing. That car was a symbol of my youth and freedom. It was a symbol of becoming an adult and learning responsibility. That little red car holds a decade worth of some of my most cherished memories:
Meeting and falling in love with Brent
The winter spent at Brian Head snowboarding
Trips to Cali, Vegas, Oregon
Driving back and forth from home to Cedar City to see Brent during the Summer
on and on...
Every time I would move from one apartment to another during college, I would buckle my big pooh bear in the front seat. It would get a few laughs from other drivers on the road. It's been years since I've done this. Pooh now lives in Lucy's room.
I was always so happy to go on long road trips. I could sing at the top of my lungs with the Indigo girls or any other angry girl music that I had in my CD case. Now, I'm lucky if the kids will let me listen to talk radio. It's a mini van and Hannah Montana for me now.
Here is proof that I did let Brent drive my car once while we were dating. He says that I NEVER let him. Why should I have? It was my car! (Some things never change. I'm still the driver in this relationship.) And by the way Brent, quit your crying. Over the last 10 years you've gotten plenty of time behind the wheel. Geesh. I believe it was you who drove over 190,000 miles on it. 
My roommates and I spent a lot of Saturdays driving to Brian Head to snowboard. Once we let Brent come with us. That year he was around so much he became one of the girls. 
Apparently I think I'm pretty cool. But I'm pretty sure I must have been a dork. Why else would I pose like that.
Thank you Joey for the great deco on my car. Yes, that's a condom that I'm holding. If only I had used it! Just kidding. Emma came many months later. Instead of heading straight to the honeymoon room, we stopped off at the car wash so the paint wouldn't get ruined.
I'm very aware that this is a long post. I just had to take a trip down memory lane for my own healing. It can be hard for me to move on. Buying that car has been one of the best decisions I've made. It's never had a single problem. If Brent had wanted to, I'm sure that we could have driven it for another five years. But we're moving on to bigger and better "things"... I guess. New memories and new adventures await!
10 comments:
I love you, Mandy. What a great trip down your memory lane. I send my love and condolences for your loss. But think of it this way, your not losing a car, your gaining a car. (Or something consoling like that). Miss you guys.
That was so fun to read and I loved seeing the pictures! Brent looks sooo different now! I, too, have a lot of fond memories from my first car. It was a cute, maroon, Honda Civic and I sold it to pay for my ticket to fly to Switzerland where I met Dani! Out cars will always be in our memories. So fun for you to share it! I loved it. I will miss seeing your cute car in the garage! BTW... I got to drive that car once! Did you know that? I couldn't find the keys to my car and I had to work at the temple and I was almost late, so Brent let me take it. So nice. So even I have memories of your cute Jettadiah! :)
Holy smokes- you think you are sad...I drove that thing for a hundred thousand miles, played drums on the stearing wheel, flooded the engine with water, braved CRAZY weather over the mountain passes in Colorado, had some small naps, rocked out to various tunes over the years and the list goes on and on. That was the BEST car ever! I dont think we will ever feel that about a car again...bye bye Jettadiah
Mine was a blue VW bug. I paid $1250 for it and sold it for $1400 after driving it for 10 years. Wish you guys were going to Paragoonah. Love you.
I totally know how you feel... I didn't have my first car as long as you, but right after we got married I finally got a car.. A Honda Accord.. I loved that car and when we sold it I was sad too.. It's funny how we get attached to our cars... Looks like you had some great memories in that little red car!! Jettas are good strong cars... I got in my first BAD car accident in one of those.. They really hold up!! Have a great day.
GREAT blog post! Sorry you had to say goodbye... are you saying hello to another vw in your future?
I can remember driving around with you that summer looking for Jeeps until you found that beauty! You did choose a car besides coming with me to London I recall, but I bet you are happy in the long run.. You not only got a car for staying home, but you found a husband too!
Jetta's are hot. I don't care who you are, and red Jetta's? Forget about it. Is this the car that rolled down your mom's hill because you forgot to put on the emergency break?? At least you had a cool car, mine was a bright blue 2 door Geo metro (only for a year, but still how embarrassing).
As a proud (previous) owner of two Jettas (one of which was red), I can whole-heartedly feel your pain. When I got home from my mission and heard that my parents were selling my favorite car of all time, my sporty black Jetta, to my BROTHER!, I just about died. I eventually got over it but since then Jettas have always held a special place in my heart. Call me if you need to talk to someone about it.
That jetta was amazing! Oh those were the days of driving to work at Matrixx Marketing then Convergys. We were so amazing! (At least we thought we were) Dan the man, Brent, Craig, Miranda, Dan White, Amanda, ole what's his name Barclay, and don't forget about the two boys from Blanding. (Oops I think I forget!) This isn't about the jetta more about the spectrum, but remember when we drove around the corner of our apartment complex and that guy tagged the front end of your car in that big ole nasty truck?! Please call we need to get together to reminisce!! I am laughing my ars off!
Jodi
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