“Happy” Anniversary :: My First Anniversary as a Minivan Owner

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I recently celebrated my first anniversary as a minivan owner. So how would I describe the first year?

“Meh.”

The love stories. They are everywhere. Blogs, youtube videos. The minivan gets some major love via social media. Maybe all those love stories built my expectations up too high. Letdown was inevitable. Don’t get me wrong, I fully recognize the practicality of the van.  With four young kids it made total sense for us. The double stroller fits without issue, even on nights when we have to pack up the baseball equipment, cooler, and lawn chairs. This vehicle by far has more bells and whistles than any other we’ve ever had.  Leather interior, navigation, dvd player, and it rides incredibly smooth. But, I don’t love it. In fact, when I drive my bare-bones, base model 10 year-old GMC Acadia, I savor it.

It makes me contemplate if I associate the minivan with my self-identity. A late thirty-something who walked away from a demanding & fulfilling career to spend more time with her kids and help her husband build his business. A woman still struggling to find her footing nearly three years later. A woman who vowed up and down that she never would own a minivan…even up until that trip to the Honda dealership. The Pilot. I was there to test drive the Pilot.

Or, maybe that thought is just a bunch of crap. Put the violin away, Ruth. Perhaps it’s as simple as me not warming up to it as much as I thought I would. Maybe I haven’t fully reaped the benefits of the van because I haven’t utilized those bells and whistles. Maybe I need to use the remote door openers more often to realize how much easier this van can make my life. Maybe I need to be not so lazy and remove the middle seat when it’s not being used, so getting to the third row isn’t so clumsy. Maybe I need to take a step back and realize if I am writing about this, life is pretty darn good.

Who knows.

Do I love it? No. Do I hate it? No. It’s sensible. And, sensible is a good. But, will I buy another? Nope.

Am I alone out there? Anyone else not seduced by the minivan? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Ruth
Ruth was born in Green Bay and lived in the area until venturing off to UW Madison for college.  Her education led her to a life in retail.  Retail took her to Milwaukee, Charlotte, NC, and, eventually, back to Green Bay.  In 2014 she decided to pause her career to help her husband build his CPA firm.  Ruth & Chris reside in De Pere with their four children, Smith, Tess, Burke, & Jack.  As great as Green Bay summers are, Fall is Ruth’s favorite.  She loves the colors, crisp air, and, of course, football.  Ruth enjoys hanging out with the fam, reading up on the latest fashion, & savoring a nice glass of cabernet.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Hey Ruth,
    I hear ya! When I was pregnant with my 3rd Cooper. I was NOT ready for a van. My husband wanted one, but I did not feel old enough for a van. So we leased a traverse. 3rd row seating would fit everyone, plus I had trunk space and could put the seat down if I needed to. Then Cooper was born. I couldn’t fit the stroller in the back, nor all our groceries and the children. On top of it, I coached and my husband coached so we had our gear and the team gear. We never had enough room. We won’t even start about road trips.

    At the end of the day, I will survive with my van until family life doesn’t Trump my pride, but then i think i will go back to my SUV.

    Great piece!
    Sara

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